Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has unveiled his 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the USA. Harbhajan Singh left out players like Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Axar Patel from his squad for the main event.
The ICC has given teams a May 1 deadline to announce their provisional squads for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee faces the challenge of putting together a balanced 15-member squad based on the players’ performances in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Harbhajan Singh appoints Rohit Sharma as skipper
Harbhajan Singh picked Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the opening pair, with Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav at numbers three and four in the line-up. The veteran off-spinner named Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as designated wicketkeepers for the Men in Blue in the tournament.
The Punjab-born cricketer chose Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube as finishers for the upcoming tournament. Notably, former Indian cricketer has left out Hardik Pandya from the squad. Apart from Dube’s part-time bowling, no other batsman in the lineup is expected to contribute with the ball.
Hardik Pandya has been missing from the Indian national cricket team since the 2023 ODI World Cup. He celebrated his comeback this season. However, the all-rounder struggled to make an impact at Mumbai Indians (MI). He scored 151 runs in eight games and took just four wickets.
Fans, get ready to revel! #T20WC2024 is almost there, and @harbhajan_singhour #IncredibleStarcast icon, has selected his set of 15 that will get one #VisaToWorldCup!
Do you think he missed out on a crucial player? This is YOUR chance to challenge the legend! Visit our social media (23…) pic.twitter.com/7DDD2aAMP7
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 25, 2024
Harbhajan Singh selects Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan
The former CSK cricketer’s squad consists of seven bowlers including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal form the spin duo alongside Jadeja while Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav form the pace attack.
Mayank Yadav. started IPL 2024 impressively with back-to-back Player of the Match awards. However, he has been out of action since his third game for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) due to injury. Yuzvendra Chahal has picked up 13 wickets in eight matches for Rajasthan Royals (RR) this season.
Harbhajan Singh’s India 15 for the T20 World Cup
Rohit Sharma (centre), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh ,Mayank Yadav.
Sanju Samson should be groomed as the next T20 captain – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh believes that Sanju Samson should be included in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup and prepared as the future T20 captain after Rohit Sharma. He stressed that there should be no debate about Samson’s role as a wicketkeeper-batter.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal’s knock is proof that the class is here to stay. The form is temporary @ybj_19 and there should be no debate about the Keepar batsman. @IamSanjuSamson should join the Indian team for the T20 World Cup and also be prepared as the next T20 captain.” India after Rohit. Koi Shake??? Harbhajan wrote.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma and Mayank Yadav ignored by World Cup selectors