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India have enough ammunition going into World Cup: Shastris

PTI

India are a flexible side with enough ammunition in their  arsenal going into the World Cup, says head coach Ravi Shastri, making it clear that combinations would depend on conditions.

When Vijay Shankar was picked in the 15-man squad, it was largely perceived that the Tamil Nadu all-rounder could bat at crucial number four position but Shastri said there is not one player, who is certain to play in that position.

"We are a flexible team. It's horses for courses, we have got enough ammunition. We have got enough players who can bat at 4. So, I am not really worried about that," Shastri said.

"I think we have got all bases covered. If there is a major injury to a fast bowler, there will be a replacement almost straight away," he said in an interview with CricketNext.

All-rounder Kedar Jadhav suffered an injury during then IPL, where key wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's lack of form also came under the scanner but Shastri said, "it doesn't worry me at all."

"In-fact I am totally blanked out from that. When the flight takes off on the 22nd, (May) we will see who are the 15 on that and just take it from there. Luckily in Kedar's case, there is no fracture so we will wait and watch. There is still time so it should be ok," he said.

The former captain handpicked West Indies and Australia to watch out for in the showpiece event.

"When they (West Indies) were in India I said we might have beaten them but we had a tough series and they played some excellent cricket. And I said that at the given time, there was no (Chris) Gayle, there was no (Andre) Russell in that side," Shastri said.

"I said watch out for this side, they have serious talent and I was very happy about that. The power hitting there is something that no team comes close. When it comes to the sheer ability to hit sixes, they are way up the ladder there."

Talking about defending champions Australia he added: "You would expect that from Australia. They have won more World Cups than any other team in the last 25 years. There is never an Australian team which is not competitive.

"And now they have got all their players back and they seem to be in pretty good form but then again in the World Cup it is that given day," Shastri said.