Former India opener Gautam Gambhir said it is great to have Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul back in the squad, but warned the duo that they would need to perform well if they want to get back in the starting lineup of the World Cup squad.
Rahul and Iyer had been nursing long-term injuries and were undergoing their rehabilitation at the NCA ahead of the Asia Cup and World Cup this year. The duo were deemed to be fit enough to be a part of the Asia Cup squad, which was announced on Monday, August 21.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Iyer had regained full fitness and pointed out that Rahul has a slight niggle which would rule him out of the first few games. While their selection for the World Cup will hinge on their performances at the Asia Cup, Gambhir said that form and impact will be important for the ICC event.
The former cricketer also suggested that there are no front runners for any positions when you’re trying to win the World Cup.
“One thing is clear; there is no front runner for a position when you are trying to win the World Cup. Form and impact are important. The players who are in form need to be picked, rather than those who are not. Let it be Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, or anybody. If Tilak Varma is in better form than someone, if Suryakumar Yadav is in better form than Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan, then you need to start that player. Because the World Cup comes once in four years, you don’t go and see who is a front runner or not. Who is in the best form after the Asia Cup and the Australia series, just as Rohit Sharma had said, there is no guarantee for anybody’s position. It’s great to have Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul back from injury, but they will need to perform if they want to get in the starting lineup of the squad,” said Gambhir.
Gambhir suggested that the team which plays in the Australia series, scheduled ahead of the World Cup, will decide the squad for the ICC tournament.
“I will only look at the form, not the name. Because if you want to win the World Cup, only form and impact from the players will help you win. A good thing the selectors have done is picked Suryakumar Yadav in the team. Because Suryakumar Yadav may not have the consistency, but he has the impact, and the team management should find the most efficient way to use him. So, in my opinion, whether it’s KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer or anybody, we will look at their form after the Asia Cup and which team plays in the Australia series. That series will determine who plays in the World Cup rather than deciding after the series is over, that who will play in the World Cup. Because there should be a series before the World Cup where your main squad plays together.”
