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As the cricketing world gears up for the much-awaited T20 World Cup in 2024, discussions around team selections have already begun to capture the attention of enthusiasts. With a plethora of talented players showcasing their skills, the task of forming a winning combination becomes a daunting challenge for Indian management.
Adding his perspective to the selection conundrum, Mohammed Shami, India’s fiery fast bowler and hero of the ODI World Cup 2023, recently shared his insights on the criteria that should dictate the inclusion of players in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Shami’s successful stint in ODIs and absence from T20Is
Despite being currently sidelined due to injury, Shami’s remarkable performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, where he bagged an impressive 24 wickets in seven matches, has solidified his status as a crucial player in the Indian cricketing setup. However, his absence from T20Is since the 2022 T20 World Cup has raised questions about his potential inclusion in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Shami puts forward criteria for selection in T20 World Cup squad
In a recent interview with News24, Shami addressed the looming selection challenge for India’s T20 World Cup squad. Emphasizing the significance of performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, which concludes just before the World Cup, Shami highlighted that players who excel in the cash-rich league should be given preference for the global event.
“There’s still a lot of time. There’s an IPL before that. Whoever is playing well should be picked for the T20 World Cup. It’s important to select the team based on the combination. If I’m performing well, I should be selected. Who will say no to the World Cup?” expressed Shami.
Also READ: Parthiv Patel picks who between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel should be India’s first choice for T20 World Cup 2024
Shami’s stellar run in IPL 2023
It is noteworthy that Shami secured the prestigious Purple Cap in IPL 2023 for finishing as the season’s highest wicket-taker, with an impressive tally of 28 dismissals. His stellar performance for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the T20 extravaganza not only contributed to his team’s success but also showcased his ability to thrive in the fast-paced format.
The Buvneshwar Kumar debate and increasing dilemma
In addition to Shami, another experienced fast bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been absent from the international setup across formats. Bhuvneshwar’s recent noteworthy performances in the UP T20 League and Ranji Trophy have ignited debates about his potential inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad, further complicating the selection process for the management.
