As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, cricket fans and experts are predicting India’s 15-member squad for the marquee tournament. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recently picked his Indian squad for the tournament scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the US in June.
The selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar is expected to announce the squad by May 1. While some players will be automatically selected, there is heated debate about the remaining spots. Earlier this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Rohit Sharma would lead the Indian team in the World Cup.
Sanjay Manjrekar Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are excluded
Sanjay Manjrekar spoke on Star Sports and ruled out Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, T20I vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh. However, the former batsman picked uncapped players Mayank Yadav and Harshit Rana as well as spin-bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya in his list.
Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, amassing 430 runs in nine matches at an average of 61.43 and a strike rate of 145.76, including three fifties and a century. He created history by becoming the first player in IPL history to score more than 400 runs in 10 seasons.
Hardik Pandya struggled to make an impact for Mumbai Indians (MI). The all-rounder managed to score 151 runs in eight games at an average of 21.57 and a strike rate of 142.45. The right-arm pacer has taken just four wickets at a disappointing economy rate of 10.94.
REVEALED: @sanjaymanjrekar‘s Fab 15 squad for the #T20WorldCup2024! 😲
A few interesting names get his nod for it #VisaToWorldCup, but 1 BIG name is missing! Do you agree with his decisions? #T20WorldCupOnStar?
Take part in the largest opinion poll ever on our social networks. pic.twitter.com/nvHABDyLzi
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 26, 2024
Sanjay Manjrekar picks Krunal Pandya to replace Ravindra Jadeja
The former cricketer and commentator chose Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner. He picked Sanju Samson and T20 specialist Suryakumar Yadav as No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. He named Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as wicketkeeper-batters in the Indian squad for the upcoming event.
The 58-year-old included Ravindra Jadeja as the only all-rounder in the 15-member squad. The former Indian cricketer named spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as the designated specialist spinners. He took a bold decision by selecting three spin bowlers, including Jadeja, in the playing XI.
Manjrekar chose Jasprit Bumrah to lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav. He chose Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Krunal Pandya to replace Ravindra Jadeja given his impressive performance in IPL 2024.
Manjrekar did not consider Arshdeep Singh, who is a top contender for the third pacer position in India’s squad for the ICC tournament. The left-arm pacer has taken ten wickets in eight matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 25.70 and an economy rate of 9.40, with his best figures being 4/29.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Krunal Pandya.
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