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Friday, Jun 13, 2025
Karnataka opener Agarwal, 28, who made his Test debut against Australia last year, has not yet played in the ODI format.
Vijay Shankar, who is currently occupying India's number four slot in the batting order, has failed to cash in on the opportunity.
Originally picked in the squad as a batsman who would bat at number four, he has been handed the role of a floater instead along with another all rounder Kedar Jadhav.
With Shikhar Dhawan already ruled out of the tournament due to thumb fracture and Bhuvneshwar Kumar out for two games due to a hamstring strain, Shankar's injury will only increase tension for the team management.
The maestro, who rarely batted without helmet during his playing days, tweeted a video of an incident from an IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad played on October 24.
The Baroda all-rounder's injury in the Asia Cup paved the way for Jadeja's return to the ODI squad, while his controversial remarks on a TV chat show resulted in Shankar getting a chance to prove his worth in the shorter format of the game.
The all-rounder is expected to be used as a floater in the batting order, especially at number 4.
The selectors have played it safe by overlooking Rishabh Pant and picking the experienced Dinesh Karthik as the reserve wicketkeeper-batsman.
K L Rahul too made the cut, while middle order batsman Ambati Rayudu and young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant were left out of the 15-member squad.
Rayudu created a frenzy by tweeting that he plans to buy 3D glasses to watch the showpiece. The 3D reference came a day after chairman of selectors M S K Prasad cited Shankar's "three-dimensional qualities" to justify his selection.
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