Cricket News: Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane part of World Cup plans - Sources

After a historic ODI series win in Australia, Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team will be heading to New Zealand on a confident note. Sorting out a formidable squad for the upcoming 2019 World Cup will be one of the biggest priorities of the skipper and the team management. Ahead of the World Cup, the selectors are still looking at the various options for the top order with young wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant being one of the top contenders. Pant has so far featured in only three ODIs for India scoring 41 runs. He has batted in the middle order so far but the selectors are keen on keeping him in the fray as a top order batsman in case of failures from the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu, who couldn't impress much in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. The uncertainty over futures of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, who are currently serving suspensions after a controversy surrounding their 'misconduct,' on a TV show, has also put the selectors in a spot of bother as they are exploring other options. The selectors are not convinced with Dhawan's recent performances on top and there is also some unease over Rayudu's form which has prompted them to ask Pant to bat up the order in India A's ODI series against England Lions. Pant has been named in India A squad for last two ODIs and is expected to bat up the order. Meanwhile, Rahane has been named the captain of the side and his performances will be kept an eye on by the selectors. While Rahane has been named the captain for first three ODIs, Pant has been selected for only the last two games before flying for New Zealand for the T20 series.