 |
| File Photo |
As the T20 World Cup approaches, speculations intensify over India's squad selection. Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, unveiled his 15-member squad and notable exclusions on Friday.
The exclusion of Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj raised eyebrows, with KL Rahul making it as the second-choice wicketkeeper. Kaif's squad emphasizes the ongoing IPL performances' impact on the final selection, anticipating a competitive tournament post-IPL.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, alongside selectors Ajit Agarkar and Rahul Dravid, gears up to finalize the squad for India's first match against Ireland on June 5.
Unlike some advocating for Virat Kohli's opening with Rohit Sharma, Kaif prefers Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside Rohit, with Kohli at No.3. Suryakumar Yadav's return to form in IPL earned him a spot in Kaif's XI.
Any surprises here? 🤔
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 26, 2024
Hold onto your hats because @MohammadKaif has unveiled his powerhouse #TeamIndia squad for the highly anticipated #T20WorldCup! 🏏💥
Participate in the biggest opinion poll ever on our social media handles (23rd April-1st May) and find out if the fans'… pic.twitter.com/TgML3t3exO
Rishabh Pant's stellar performance for Delhi Capitals solidified his place as the first-choice wicketkeeper in Kaif's squad, while Hardik Pandya, under scrutiny for Mumbai Indians' slow start in IPL 2024, occupies the No.6 position.
Kaif's XI also features Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
In a surprising move, Mohammad Siraj was omitted from the final 15, replaced by Sandeep Sharma, whose recent IPL performance impressed. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh found spots on the bench, competing for a single slot.
Sanju Samson, often included in T20 World Cup squads, was placed in reserves, with KL Rahul completing the squad alongside backup players Yuzvendra Chahal and Avesh Khan.
© www.cricketxpedia.com
