We have almost narrowed it down to 17-18 players – Rahul Dravid on Team India’s World Cup squad

India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed the team management and selectors have almost narrowed the World Cup squad to 17-18 players. Earlier it was reported the think tank has shortlisted 20 players for the World Cup squad.

Dravid also admitted that some players who are currently recovering from injuries will get back into the mix before the ODI showpiece. India is currently missing the services of their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is now expected to return to action in August after undergoing back surgery in New Zealand.

Dravid revealed the team management and selectors are clear with the kind of team they want to play in the World Cup. India won a major ICC trophy back in 2013 and the pressure is piling on the team to win a big tournament.

Rahul Dravid said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, “I think, to a large extent, we are pretty clear about the squad and players we want. We have almost sort of narrowed it down to 17-18 players. We have a few guys who are sort of recovering from injuries and might come into the mix, depending on the timeframe of their recoveries and how long it takes for them to come back.

“But all in all, we are pretty much in a good space, we are pretty clear about the kind of team we want to play.” Dravid added, “Hopefully, we are able to give these guys who we have zeroed in as many playing opportunities as we can. If in India, great, but even if not in India, it’s just [a matter of ensuring that] they get as many opportunities as you can [give them] to build a side.”

The former Indian skipper added that there are a couple of different combinations they want to try before the ODI World Cup.

“Within our 15 or 16 players, there are a couple of different combinations that we’d like to try and see which one’s working. It [World Cup] is a big tournament, it’s a long tournament in India, and we are playing in nine different cities and nine different conditions.

“You just want to have that flexibility in your squad as well, to be able to play sometimes four fast bowlers, sometimes three spinners. Just you want to have that flexibility. Within the squad we’d like to sort of look at different options, just to ensure that we have covered all our bases for all conditions.”

The shortlisted players will want to grab their chances and prepare for the ODI World Cup in the best possible manner. The third ODI between India and Australia will be played in Chennai on Wednesday.