IPL 2019 | First month of league important for World Cup team selection, asserts BCCI official

With the World Cup scheduled to be held after the IPL, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the workload management of the players and the Indian team selection for the ICC event. Earlier before the start of the series against the Aussies, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had said that the performance in the league will have no impact on the team selection for the World Cup.

However, a senior BCCI official has now come out to say that there are a few positions to be decided including the much talked about no. 4 in the Indian team and that is why, the first half of the league will be crucial as far as the Indian squad selection for the World Cup, which is expected to be held on April 20, is concerned. 

"With all the chopping and changing and experimentation and recent performances of the team, the No.4 slot is not yet sealed and if you ask me, a couple of other positions are also open since some players have not developed as well as one hoped over the last year. With the team selection slated for around April 20, the first month of the IPL will be crucial for the team selection for the World Cup," a BCCI official told IANS.

Another IANS source in the team management has revealed that technically there are four batsmen fighting for the important no. 4 position in the World Cup team. He has also said that the management expected to finalise the squad during the recently-concluded Australia series but that was not possible.

"It was thought that the Australia series would help cement all spots for the World Cup. But that hasn't happened and technically you now have four batsmen fighting for the No.4 slot. In fact, coach Ravi Shastri has even spoken of the option of having Kohli at 4, but that then depends on conditions and match situation. He won't go into the tournament as India's no.4," the source told IANS.