Binny, Patel make India’s World Cup squad

Wednesday, 7 January 2015 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

MUMBAI (Reuters): India have included all-rounders Stuart Binny and Akshar Patel in a 15-man squad to defend their World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand. Binny, who bowls medium pace, has played six one-day internationals for India while left-arm spinner Patel has represented the country in the 50-over format nine times.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who returned to India midway through the test series in Australia with a shoulder injury was also included in the squad, named on Tuesday. The team will be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who recently retired from tests, while Virat Kohli, who replaced Dhoni in the longer format, was appointed vice captain. Fast bowlers Mohit Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni will be added to the same squad in Australia for the tri-series, also involving England, as a warm-up for the World Cup. India won the 50-over World Cup for the second time when they hosted the quadrennial event four years back with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Cricket World Cup will be staged in Australia and New Zealand from Feb. 14 to March 29. Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli (vice-captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Akshar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.