Since the BCCI unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming season ICC T20 World Cup 2024Former cricketers, pundits and fans have shared their views on the main team.
Now, 1986 World Cup winner Madan Lal has expressed his concerns over India’s provisional squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.
Former Indian cricketer Lal expressed his concerns over India’s bowling attack, making them a weaker team for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June.
He also questioned the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, who have struggled with the ball in the ongoing IPL 2024.
While the batting department of the Indian preliminary squad has impressive world-class names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, the pace bowling contingent consists of Arshdeep, Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj.
Furthermore, the Indian selectors chose Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan as traveling reserve players for the upcoming multi-nation event.
India is getting weaker in the pacer side: Madan Lal
The former India all-rounder, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team, is not confident about the strength of India’s pace attack.
He feels that apart from Jasprit Bumrah, the bowling line-up lacks the strength to shine in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
Madan Lal was quoted by Times of India as saying: “I don’t like the speed attack. Unlike Jasprit Bumrah, it’s not that good. Siraj has done well (here and there) but his performances at the international level have been patchy. I think India is getting weaker on the pacer side. It’s not just in T20 cricket that you need a good pacer to get you the wickets to win games. Bumrah is a wicket-taker and a match-winner. Let’s see how Siraj performs. Otherwise, India will rely heavily on Bumrah. The problem is that India should have got another pacer.”
Madan Lal also highlighted the historical importance of a strong pace attack for India’s success in the ICC events. He believes Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj may not be reliable options for the Men in Blue.
He also questioned Hardik Pandya’s effectiveness as a bowler and said that the team management may have taken a risk by including him.
Madan Lal feels T Natarajan should be part of India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
He explained, “The pace lineup is the weak link. Apart from Bumrah, we need to see how Siraj and Arshdeep bowl. When it comes to bowling, I don’t have that much confidence.” In the end, Lal said if he was the selector, then T Natarajan would be his choice for the 2024 T20 World Cup as he is effective as a death bowler and delivers consistently under pressure.
The former Indian cricketer admitted that Mayank Yadav was promising with his pace but he is so young that he doesn’t have much confidence in his ability to perform consistently at the international level. Therefore, he would have picked Natarajan over Mayank in the Indian T20 World Cup squad.