The most exciting time of the cricket is coming soon. The T20 World Cup is just a few sleeps away. This edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by the West Indies and USA. all the teams are gearing up well ahead of the big show. Apart from Pakistan, the other teams already announced their squad. India has also named a mighty squad. At that moment, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh make the best-playing xi of India in the T20 World Cup.
The Upcoming T20 World Cup and India’s Squad:
India is currently down by the IPL fever. But a lot more T20 excitement is awaiting for the cricket world. After 2022, the T20 World Cup is coming back. This time West Indies and USA are organizing the tournament jointly. Before stepping into the tournament, all the teams are gearing up well. All of them are eying the trophy.
At the end of April, the BCCI has already announced Team India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The squad is strong and features seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and others. Along with that, Rishabh Pant made a comeback after accident and Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube took their place in the squad. Yuzvendra Chahal has also made a comeback in the squad. With that mighty squad, Team India is ready to conquer the tournament.
Yuvraj Singh’s Playing XI:
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has chosen his ideal India playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA. As a member of the victorious team previously, Yuvraj is eager to witness India reclaim the trophy. The ambassador for the forthcoming T20 World Cup selected players he believes should represent India in the tournament next month.
The Opening position is a very crucial part. Yuvraj Singh believed Rohit Sharma snd Yashasvi Jaiswal for the opening and Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav at number 3 and 4. He said, “ I think Rohit (Sharma) and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal should definitely open. Virat (Kohli) has been batting at No.3 and that’s his position. And then you get Surya (Yadav) at four, and then you got a couple of big options. I’d like to see a couple of left-hand, right-hand combinations because it is harder to bowl at two combinations all the time.”
Putting Rishabh Pant Over Sanju Samson:
After meeting a life-threatening accident in 2022, India’s wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant is all set to make his first international appearance through the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, Sanju Samson got his long-waiting World Cup. Samson is in great form and Rishabh Pant is also showcasing his excellence.
While deciding the wicketkeeper position, Yuvraj Singh said, “I’d probably go for Rishabh,” Yuvraj said. “Obviously Sanju is also in great form, but Rishabh (is a) left-hander, and I believe that Rishabh has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past. Lot more in Test cricket, and he’s someone who I feel can be a match-winner on the big stage.”
On Hardik Pandya:
In recent times, Hardik Pandya’s form has become a matter of discussion. After being injured in the 2023 World Cup, he has not seen in India’s jersey and currently leading Mumbai Indians in IPL. Pandya has displayed signs of improvement in his bowling during the IPL, but his batting hasn’t been up to par. He managed only 216 runs in 14 matches. This dip in performance comes after a lengthy period of injury that dates back to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Despite worries over vice-captain Hardik Pandya’s form in the IPL, where he has struggled with his batting, Yuvraj stays hopeful about his influence in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Yuvraj firmly supports Pandya, believing he will shine in the tournament. He said, “Well, the good thing is that the selection has been made. (Selectors see) how players have performed at international cricket and then they look at IPL form. Just not the IPL form.”
Later he added, “Because if you look at the IPL form, Hardik’s not done well. Looking at his background for India, what he’s done for India, it is important that he’s in the squad. I think his bowling is going to be important, and his fitness is going to be important. And I think he might do something really special in this World Cup.”
Backing Dube and Opened up on Gill and Rinku:
After some dazzling performances, Shivam Dube confirmed his place in India’s T20 World Cup squad. One of his biggest weapons is his consistency and ability to play masterclass innings in the right time. Dube made an impressive impact for the Chennai Super Kings, amassing 396 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 162.29. Initially, he played solely as a batter but showcased his right-arm medium-pace bowling during the tournament, providing India with an additional bowling choice for the T20 World Cup.
The two-time World Cup winner said, “I think with Shivam Dube, the last T20 series he played for India, I think he did well. And he’s been very consistent in the IPL as well,” Yuvraj noted. “I just felt the kind of form he’s in, it was important for him to be in the squad. I really think he can make a huge difference in the middle order or the lower middle order, so it’s good to see him in the Indian T20 squad.”
The selection have been quite unfortunate for Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill. both the players have been kept in the reserves. Rinku Singh was pushed to the reserve list to accommodate Dube. Despite a lackluster IPL, Rinku has excelled in international matches, scoring 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at a remarkable strike rate of 176.23. Gill has been a dependable player, demonstrating his skills in the ODI World Cup and maintaining good form against England. However, both players were overlooked for selection in the squad.
While talking about this, he said, “It was a bit unfortunate for Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh,” he said. If I talk about Rinku, obviously he has been in good form for India and he has done so well for KKR. And I see a lot of improvement in his batting in the last couple of years. Unfortunate for him and Shubman obviously, scoring tons of runs, from the last year someone who has scored the most number of hundreds for India. From the last two years, and to miss out, as I said that’s the nature of selecting a World Cup squad and I’m sure these guys will be the first ones whenever there’s an opportunity.”
On Chahal’s Comeback:
India got a big boost in their bowling department as their star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came back in the squad. He has played some match-winning spell for India in the past. Yuvraj was happy to see Yuzvendra Chahal back in the T20I squad after missing out on cricket since August 2023. Chahal’s IPL performances have been impressive, with 14 wickets in 11 matches. He also made history by becoming the first player to take 200 wickets in the tournament.
He said, “It was nice to see Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad because he’s been bowling really well. And second half of the World Cup, you might have wickets slowing down so it’s good to keep some bowling options. Spin. We have Jasprit (Bumrah), (Mohammed) Siraj, we have the experience with Arshdeep (Singh) as well. So looks like a really strong side but we have to prove it.”
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