Shankar seeks guidance from World Cup winners

HYDERABAD (India): All-rounder Vijay Shankar is making the most of his presence in a Sunrisers Hyde­rabad camp which also contains a couple of World Cup winners after being selected in India’s 15-member squad for the showpiece tournament in England and Wales.

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was picked on Monday as India’s number four batsman whose seam bowling expertise could also be useful in English conditions.

“We have a few World Cup-winning team members here at Sunrisers Hyderabad and I have spoken to them to understand what it feels like to play in a World Cup and then go on to win it,” Shankar said in a Hyderabad news release.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) side have opening batsman David Warner and coach Tom Moody who have both won the World Cup with Australia.

“I have learnt a lot from them on the ways to manage pressure at such a large scale event,” Shankar said. “I’m extremely elated to be in the Indian World Cup team, this is like a dream come true.” Hyderabad team-mate Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also been selected and the 29-year-old medium pacer, known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, hopes to thrive in English conditions.

“The conducive English conditions will suit my strength and I’m looking to make the most of it,” Kumar said. “This is my second World Cup and now I’m pretty confident to perform at such a level.

“Playing for Sunrisers in the IPL has given me the right match practice just before the mega tournament.”