India, Singapore name Mens probables squads, USA hold trials for World Cup

India and Singapore have recently named 30-man probables squads for their Open Mens teams, whilst the USA have held trials ahead of the World Cup this September.

India’s probables squad were picked based on a variety of factors including past experience, performance in recent trials, and also performances in their domestic competition, the Ultimate Indoor Championship (UIC).

The team contains several players in the current set up and almost all of the squad members who played in the England-Asia Cup in Colombo last year, where India lost to Sri Lanka in the final. That includes captain Dhanush Bhaskar, Daivik Rai, Vijay H Gowda, Suraj Reddy, Mallikarjun M and Karthik Subramaniam. Former captain Khizer Ahmed also features in the extended squad.

A performance camp is due to be held in the next week, with the Indian Indoor Sports Federation expected to announce the final travelling squad by 16 August. The Open Women, Under-22 Men and Under-22 Women’s teams are also expected to be named at this time.

Singapore’s 30-man probables squad also features a number of the players which partook in the England-Asia Cup, including player-coach & captain Tameem Latheef, Karl Noronha, Ankit Kamal, Ali Asad and Niraj Vasani.

Singapore Indoor Cricket are expected to announce their final World Cup squads - Open Men and Open Women - on August 8. This will follow the final of their National Intra-Squad series, which has been played over the last five weeks, and the final of which will be held on August 3.

Meanwhile, USA have trimmed down their Open Mens provisional squad to 17 following three rounds of national trials which were held across May and June. 42 players initially trialled for selection.

The 17-man group have been going through a high-performance training camp since the end of June, with assessments being made on overall fitness, skills and performance development.

A final travelling squad is due to be named by USA Indoor Cricket in early August. It is not confirmed as yet whether USA will be sending an Open Women’s team.

Image: Getty Images for Cricket Australia

Graphics: Shewon Fonseka