INDIA TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2018-19

Expect roughly the same squad for World Cup - Rohit

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

"Team is high on confidence right now, so we got to carry it it this format as well" - Rohit. © Getty

India vice-captain Rohit Sharma, on Thursday (January 10), indicated that India's squad for the World Cup has pretty much been pencilled in, and will - more or less - have a similar look to the one that's preparing for the Australia ODIs. Although, he did point that the usual caveats of form and fitness will be taken into consideration, and that "nobody is guaranteed that flight to England as yet".

"I think the 13 ODIs we're going to be playing leading up to the World Cup, you're going to see more or less the same squad playing in the World Cup," Rohit told reporters in Sydney. "Probably one or two changes, keeping in mind the form and injury concerns over the next few months. We've played a lot of cricket throughout the year, so injuries are bound to happen. Don't think there'll be any drastic change. Looking at the slots - they're pretty much taken by individuals. Everything will depend on the form of each player, nobody is guaranteed that flight to England.

"It's slightly early to be talking about the playing XI. But there aren't going to be any drastic changes. We still have 13 games, 4-5 months to go and two months of IPL. Lot of cricket to be played. So it's hard to name the 11 or 12 that'll be playing the World Cup."

The only guaranteed name missing from India's current squad is Jasprit Bumrah, with the premier quick rested for the upcoming assignments against Australia and New Zealand in order to manage his workload - which the BCCI has been very diligent about.

Rohit also highlighted the importance of MS Dhoni's "presence" in the dressing room. India's wicketkeeper-batsman may not have had a great year in 2018, but Rohit made no bones about how his influence is very important to the team.

"With him around, there's a sense of calmness. Him being around the team is always helpful. He's a guiding light around the group. Also with the bat, batting down the order, providing that finishing touch is very important. He's finished so many games for us. His role is very important. His presence around the group is a massive factor for us.

"Someone like Dhoni behind the stumps telling them what the batsman is trying to do makes a big difference. Since Sri Lanka tour in 2017 they've done really well. One of the reason is MS. He's guided these two guys in the middle overs, how to keep things tight, field placements. He's helped the captain a lot in the field as well."

There's been much talk surrounding the resting of Australia's premier pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. All three of them, combined, played a total of only 19 ODIs last year. But regardless, Rohit isn't one to take the upcoming challenge lightly.

"They don't play too much of ODI cricket, I think," Rohit said. "The last time we played in the format here, these guys (Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins) weren't playing and we were still beaten 4-1. Australia still have quality in their bowling. Of course those three are their premier bowlers but they've got guys who can do the job for them.

"They've got a bowling line-up who can put us under pressure without a doubt. They've been playing some limited-overs cricket, they've been doing well. It's not going to be a walkover situation for us. We've still got to grind it out there and make sure we put them under pressure. Team is high on confidence right now so we got to carry it it this format as well."

On the road to World Cup 2019, India will play a total of 13 ODIs - beginning with the three against Australia, starting Saturday (January 12) in Sydney.

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