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Excitement is raising day by day amongst fans as the much-awaited T20 World Cup 2024 is set to begin in the month of June. Spanning across various venues in the West Indies and the USA, the event is poised to showcase the finest cricketing talents, with 20 nations vying for supremacy in a total of 55 matches.
With only the top eight teams advancing to the round-robin format, fans can expect an array of exhilarating clashes as the stage is set for captivating encounters. Expectations will soar for powerhouse teams like India, Australia, and England, as fans eagerly await their performances on the grand stage.
Irfan Pathan unveils his India squad
In anticipation of the tournament’s commencement, cricket pundits have begun sharing their forecasts and team assessments. Notably, former India all-rounder and pivotal member of India’s triumphant campaign in the 2007 World T20, Irfan Pathan, has unveiled his insights into India’s prospective lineup for the upcoming event. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo, Irfan picked his 15-member unit, featuring renowned stars and aspiring cricketers.
Stylish batting unit
Rohit Sharma: The veteran opener brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the squad, known for his ability to anchor innings and unleash devastating strokes at will. As the designated captain, Rohit’s tactical acumen will be crucial in guiding India’s campaign.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: A rising star in Indian cricket, Jaiswal’s inclusion underscores his potential as a dynamic top-order batter capable of providing explosive starts. His adaptability and flair make him a formidable presence at the crease.
Shubman Gill: Gill’s elegant strokeplay and solid technique make him a valuable asset in the middle order, capable of stabilizing the innings or accelerating the run rate when needed. His ability to rotate strike and find gaps will be crucial in building partnerships.
Virat Kohli: As one of the modern greats of the game, Kohli’s mere presence instills confidence in the team. His aggressive batting style and astute captaincy provide a formidable combination, making him a key figure in India’s quest for T20 glory.
Suryakumar Yadav: Surya’s flamboyant strokeplay and fearless approach have earned him accolades in domestic and international cricket. His versatility in batting positions and ability to innovate shots make him a potent weapon in the middle overs.
Rinku Singh: The inclusion of Rinku adds depth to India’s batting lineup, with his ability to play both anchor and finisher roles. His aggressive batting style and ability to clear the ropes make him a valuable asset in the lower middle order.
Skillful all-rounders
Hardik Pandya: Pandya’s explosive batting and handy seam bowling provide the team with much-needed balance. His ability to accelerate the run rate and chip in with crucial breakthroughs make him a crucial component in India’s T20 setup.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja’s all-round prowess in batting, bowling, and fielding make him a match-winner on any given day. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game adds depth and stability to the squad.
Also READ: Harbhajan Singh picks Team India’s spinners for the T20 World Cup 2024
Dazzling wicketkeepers (any two)
KL Rahul: A versatile batter and wicketkeeper, Rahul’s inclusion provides flexibility to the team. His ability to anchor the innings or switch gears as per the team’s requirement makes him a valuable asset in the middle order.
Rishabh Pant: Pant’s explosive batting and electric glovework behind the stumps make him a game-changer. His ability to seize crucial moments and turn the tide of the game in India’s favor adds X-factor to the squad. Having made his comeback to the competitive cricket recently in the IPL 2024, all eyes would be on Pant as to how he will perform and makes himself fully fit for the mega event.
Jitesh Sharma: An emerging talent in Indian cricket, Jitesh’s inclusion provides a backup option behind the stumps. His agility and safe pair of hands make him a reliable wicketkeeping choice in the squad.
Irfan mentioned that only two amongst the three wicketkeepers will be in his final India squad.
Top-quality spinners
Kuldeep Yadav: Kuldeep’s crafty wrist spin and ability to deceive batsmen make him a potent weapon in the spin department. His variations and accuracy make him a valuable asset in containing opposition batters and picking up crucial wickets.
Ravi Bishnoi: Bishnoi’s impressive performances in domestic cricket have earned him a spot in the squad. His aggressive leg-spin and ability to turn the ball sharply make him a promising prospect in India’s spin arsenal.
Noteworthy pace unit
Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah’s unorthodox action and deadly yorkers make him one of the best fast bowlers in the world. His ability to bowl at any stage of the innings and deliver under pressure make him a trump card in India’s bowling lineup.
Mohammed Siraj: Siraj’s consistent performances and ability to generate pace and movement make him a potent threat with the new ball. His knack for picking up early wickets and containing runs in the powerplay overs make him a valuable asset in India’s pace attack.
Mohsin Khan/Arshdeep Singh: Irfan had a toss up between Mohsin and Arshdeep. Both offer pace and bounce, complementing India’s fast bowling arsenal. Their ability to extract movement and deliver accurate yorkers make them reliable options to round off the pace attack, pending final selections.
Irfan Pathan’s India squad for T20 World Cup 2024:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohsin Khan/Arshdeep Singh
