(Credit ICC)
Former England captain Eoin Morgan recently expressed a strong opinion regarding the Indian squad set to compete in the upcoming T20 World Cup across the Caribbean Islands and the USA this June. Morgan emphasized his preference for his former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal in the World Cup lineup.
Despite being a consistent presence in the Indian team in recent months, Shubman Gill was not included in the final 15-member squad for the World Cup. Instead, Yashasvi Jaiswal was chosen as the opener for the Indian squad, with Gill named among the reserve players for the ICC event.
Shubman Gill, serving as the skipper of the Gujarat Titans (GT), couldn’t propel his team to the playoffs in his debut season as an IPL captain. However, he showcased his batting prowess by amassing 426 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 38.73 and a strike rate of 147.40. His performance featured two half-centuries and a century, establishing him as the second-highest run-scorer for the Titans in the recently concluded IPL season.
Eoin Morgan says Would Have Shubman Gill Over Yashasvi Jaiswal.
In a podcast on Sky Sports alongside Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Eoin Morgan advocated for Shubman Gill’s selection over Yashasvi Jaiswal in the World Cup squad. Morgan highlighted Gill’s leadership potential, drawn from their shared experience at the Knight Riders.
“The only decision I would have had differently and if I was selecting the squad, I would have Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. I have played alongside him, I know how he thinks. I know how he works,” Morgan said.
“I feel he’s a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, in World Cups the more leaders the better. Even if he’s sitting on the sideline, you still need inspiration from here and there, a sense of positivity,” he added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal compiled 435 runs across 15 innings, boasting an average of 31.07 and a striking rate of 155.91, featuring one century and a half-century. Despite his commendable performance, the Rajasthan Royals faced disappointment as they succumbed to a defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 match, missing out on a spot in the final under the leadership of Sanju Samson.
The Strongest Side Even With Injuries – Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan labeled India as the “front-runners” to clinch the T20 World Cup, expressing certainty in the capabilities of India’s talented squad to surpass any opposition in the tournament.
“The strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India. Their strength and depth is absolutely incredible. And it’s almost probably, we’re talking about who the players that were missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality that they possess,” Morgan stated.
“They are favourites for me, the quality they have on paper, if they produce it I think they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament,” he added.
India’s triumph in the ICC Trophy dated back to 2013 when MS Dhoni guided the team to victory. Subsequent years saw the Men in Blue showcasing their prowess by advancing to significant stages. They secured a spot in the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023, while in 2015 and 2019, they reached the semifinals. Their performance in T20 World Cups has also been commendable, reaching the final in 2014 and the semifinals in 2016 and 2022.
