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Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has selected India’s optimal bowling lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Gavaskar advised captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid to utilize Hardik Pandya as the fifth bowling option.
India’s squad includes three pacers, two wrist spinners, and two left-arm finger spinners. The team management will decide on their bowling combination during their only warm-up match against Bangladesh at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday, June 1.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are confirmed selections for the playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead the pace attack. Depending on the strategy, either Axar Patel or Yuzvendra Chahal will be chosen if three spinners are included. The fast bowling options for the team are Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh.
Sunil Gavaskar says This Will Maintain The Balance Of The Team
In an interview with Dainik Jagran, Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the necessity of a well-rounded bowling attack for the World Cup. Gavaskar recommended that India should field three spinners and two fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya acting as an additional fast bowling option.
“A balanced bowling attack is the most important in West Indies, so India can go with three spinners and two fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya as the backup fast bowler. I think this will maintain the balance of the team,” Gavaskar told Dainik Jagran in an interview.
Hardik Pandya had an underwhelming season as captain of the Mumbai Indians in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). The 30-year-old managed to score 216 runs across 13 innings and claimed 11 wickets in the T20 tournament. As a key all-rounder, he will be keen to enhance his performance in the upcoming major event.
Pandya, along with Shivam Dube, is one of the fast-bowling all-rounders in the squad. Both players are putting in extra effort during India’s intensive net sessions ahead of the warm-up match. Dube had limited bowling opportunities for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024 due to the Impact Player rule.
Team Has A Good Mix Of Experience And Youth – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was impressed with India’s squad selection for the World Cup, describing it as well-balanced. The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted a good mix of youth and experienced players in the team.
“I believe that this is a team that has a good mix of experience and youth. Along with Rohit, Virat, Surya, and Bumrah, there are young players like Yashasvi, Rishabh, and Shivam, who strengthen the team,” Gavaskar added.
The 74-year-old refrained from predicting the T20 World Cup semifinalists, stating that all teams appear to be well-balanced. “It cannot be said who the four semi-finalists will be because in my view all the teams look balanced,” Gavaskar further added.
Team India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. The eagerly awaited match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for June 9 at the same location. Rohit Sharma’s squad will face the USA on June 12 and Canada on June 15.
