Reports | Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane in the scheme of things for the World Cup

In the last few months or so, the Indian cricket team has performed really well in the ODI series winning the Asia Cup, the home series against Windies, and most recently, a historical series victory in Australia. But despite winning the series, the team management is looking concerned about not leaving any chinks in India’s armour as the ICC Cricket World Cup is fast approaching.

Since Shikhar Dhawan and India’s number four batsman Ambati Rayudu failed to make any impact in the three-match ODI series against Australia, the management has been busy planning for a contingency plan so as to not be found wanting when the team needs a replacement for the players failing to score consistently. 

"Recently, Pant has been told by the team management to bat up the order and get used to the newer ball. If need be, Pant could come in as a reserve top order batsman. The selectors don't want a situation where they don't have a back-up ready. Anyway, Pant was given rest to come back fresh for the limited-overs season," a source told TOI.

In lieu of that plan, both Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant have been included in the India-A team that will take on the visiting England Lions in the five-match ODI series. While Rahane has been asked to play and lead the side in the first three ODIs, Pant has been included for the last two matches and has been advised to bat up the order.

First three ODIs squad: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Anmolpreet Singh, Rituraj Gaekwad, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Ankit Bawne, Ishan Kishan (WK), Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel, Mayank Markande, Jayant Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini.

Lat two ODIs squad: Ankit Bawne (C), Rituraj Gaekwad, Anmolpreet Singh, Ricky Bhui, Siddhesh Lad, Himmat Singh, Rishabh Pant (WK), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur.