Former India cricketer Zaheer Khan reduce quick the largest headache round selecting the ultimate 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. As a substitute of dwelling into the controversy on whether or not Rishabh Pant must be picked because the first-choice wicketkeeper and who amongst Sanju Samson, KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik ought to take the backup position, the previous ODI World Cup winner insisted that India ought to go into the massive event with just one wicketkeeper and quite make investments the additional slot in selecting one other seam bowler.
When the IPL 2024 had began on March 22, Jitesh Sharma, who bagged the utmost alternatives within the three preparatory T20I sequence that India performed after the 2023 ODI World Cup, was the frontrunner to bag the wicketkeeping spot. Nevertheless, there was all the time an anticipation amongst world cricket over the return of pants after 15 months out. And the India star didn’t simply make a comeback to aggressive motion in IPL 2024, together with his unbeaten 88 off 43 in opposition to Gujarat Titans earlier this week, he introduced himself as the brand new frontrunner for the retaining place.
With the controversy then shifting to the backup position, for which samson has been backed by most, Zaheer, in dialog with JioCinema, reckoned that whereas India is spoiled for decisions, with even MS Dhoni being a chance after his phenomenal present in IPL 2024 up to now, he would quite go for a single wicketkeeper.
“Rishabh Pant is my solely wicket-keeper. I’ve given extra significance to bringing 4 tempo bowlers. You don't wish to sacrifice a quick bowler for one more wicketkeeper. You will have choices like KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and lots of wish to see Dinesh Karthik. At this level, we will contemplate Mahendra Singh Dhoni as effectively due to his strike charge! I feel they'll give attention to present gamers like Samson, KL Rahul, and possibly even Jitesh Sharma. For those who're constructing a group for a month-long event, your touring reserve may be your wicketkeeper,” he mentioned.
Probably the most fascinating bit about Zaheer's squad was that he gave that further slot to Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler Yash Dayal, who has but to make a debut within the Indian group. The left-arm seamer from Uttar Pradesh, who was roped in by RCB for INR 5 crores within the public sale final 12 months, was earlier handed a fast-bowling contract by the BCCI when the centrally-contracted gamers have been named.
“After I speak about Yash Dayal, it's a floating spot when the 15 are introduced as a result of Mohammed Shami won’t be obtainable for the event. He's one bowler that when you want somebody to bowl up, you’ve Yash Dayal. If you need a again -end bowler and if Siraj's type is spotty, he can be utilized there as effectively,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, the one dilemma that Zaheer confronted was selecting the second opener between Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill and Rajasthan Royals' opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, which implied that he needs to see Virat Kohli bat at No. three for India.
“The hardest resolution the selectors must make shall be selecting one opener out of two terrific choices. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, I feel solely considered one of them will make it as a result of the thinktank will need flexibility within the group. A participant can't be restricted to only one position, they could want to maneuver across the batting order,” he mentioned.
Zaheer Khan's picks for Crew India T20 World Cup squad:
batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill/Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh
All-Rounders: Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja
Wicket-Keeper: Rishabh Pant
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.
