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India‘s last triumph in an ICC Trophy dates back to 2013, when MS Dhoni‘s team clinched the ICC Champions Trophy in England. Since then, the Indian team has endured an 11-year-long wait for another ICC title, marked by a series of disappointments and missed opportunities. Despite reaching the pinnacle stages of major tournaments, including four World Cup semifinals and two finals, along with setbacks in the Champions Trophy final 2017 and consecutive World Test Championships (WTC), India’s trophy cabinet remains bare.
Ideal bowling combination for T20 World Cup 2024
In 2023, India came tantalizingly close to breaking the drought when they hosted the World Cup, only to falter in the final against Australia. As another World Cup approaches, this time in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies in the form if T20 global showpiece event, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has offered some advice to Rahul Dravid, the current head coach regarding the bowling combination with which India could enter the upcoming tournament.
Sidhu, Dravid’s former teammate, cautioned against compromising on the team composition, urging Dravid to maintain a balance of five specialist bowlers-either two spinners and three pacers or vice versa, depending on the conditions-regardless of the circumstances.
“My straight advice to Rahul Dravid is that if you want to win this tournament, have five wicket-taking specialist bowlers, simple. The collapse of a team’s character stems from the compromise column. Your character takes a hit when you compromise,” Sidhu said to Star Sports.
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Spin department and pace arsenal
Regarding the spin department, Sidhu advocated for the inclusion of the promising leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi alongside the seasoned duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. On the pace front, he suggested considering Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav, provided the latter regains full fitness.
“You have three spinners – Bishnoi, Kuldeep and Jadeja picks himself. And play three fast bowlers. Mayank Yadav, if fit, walks into the side. Khaleel Ahmed, Mohsin Khan. And Delhi Capitals have Mukesh Kumar. I feel that the Indian team has so many options that if they take wicket-taking bowlers and do not compromise – thinking that this guy can bat a bit, bowl a bit. These bits-and-pieces things,” the 60-year-old concluded.
Group stage battles: India’s path
India’s group stage fixtures in the upcoming World Cup promise intrigue, with matches against Ireland, Pakistan, USA and Canada. The highly anticipated showdown against Pakistan on June 9 in New York is poised to captivate fans worldwide. Each match presents unique challenges, emphasizing the need for India to approach every game with unwavering focus and determination to secure their berth in the knockout stage.
