India overlook Pant, Rayudu for World Cup

Veteran Dinesh Karthik has pipped young Rishabh Pant to the second wicketkeeper's spot in India's World Cup squad, while allrounder Vijay Shankar also made the cut.

There was not much suspense hanging over chief selector M.S.K Prasad's news conference to announce a 15-member squad led by Virat Kohli, as most of the players picked themselves.

With MS Dhoni the undisputed first-choice wicketkeeper, selectors preferred Karthik's experience to the raw aggression of 21-year-old Pant.

"We felt Rishabh Pant or DK will come into the playing XI only if Mahi (Dhoni) is injured," Prasad told reporters, saying Karthik's superior keeping and reputation as a "finisher" clinched it for the 33-year-old.

"In crunch matches, who can be the best guy who can handle the pressure? For that reason, the decision went in favour of Dinesh Karthik. Otherwise Pant is full of talent, there'll be time for him. It's unfortunate for him that he missed out."

There were also speculation about who India pick as their No.4 batsman and Shankar pipped veteran Ambati Rayudu.

"What Vijay Shankar offers is three dimensional," Prasad said.

"Apart from his batting, he can bowl and he's a fantastic fielder … we are looking at him as number four. We have Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav also, so we have plenty of options at number four right now."

Lokesh Rahul made the squad as a back-up opener, but could also bat at No.4, Prasad said.

The World Cup in England and Wales starts on May 30.

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Vijay Shankar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami

Australia's World Cup fixtures

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE