Stuart Binny has been picked in the Indian team for the 2015 World Cup to strike the perfect balance in the squad. He not only brings in the choice of an all-rounder, but also is someone who fits in as the fifth bowler in the line-up. Binny is also a second choice in the back-up batsman’s list after Ambati Rayudu – who can also be utilise as a back-up wicketkeeper.
As reported earlier, the Indian selectors had three choices to make – seven batsmen, seven bowlers and an all-rounder or seven batsmen and eight bowler or eight batsmen and seven bowlers. But, the selectors opted for a combination which is slightly bowler heavy.
With Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina expected to be in the playing XI from the World Cup opener, India would have Rayudu on the bench along with Binny.
With three pacers also supposed to be picked in the first few matches of the World Cup, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav fit the bill perfectly with Mohammed Shami could be a fourth seamer in the squad.
Similarly in the spin department, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would be the first choice, while Axar Patel would be the one held back in the reserve bench. With a compulsion of not having more than 15 players in the World Cup, the team management and the selectors did what they could do the best. This is probably the best combination the selectors have picked for the showpiece event!
