Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has opened up on the best playing XI for India for the T20 World Cup 2024. The veteran notably preferred Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson despite the latter’s good form for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2024. The selectors have preferred two specialist keepers – Pant and Samson – for the mega event. However, Pant returned to IPL this season and scored 446 runs in 13 matches, but the Delhi Capitals (DC) could not qualify for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Samson scored over 500 runs and RR qualified for the playoffs as well.
Speaking to ICC, Yuvraj 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. I’d probably go for Rishabh. 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.”
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“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. 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,” he further added.
Yuvraj Singh has also opined on Hardik Pandya, backing him to do something special in the World Cup. Pandya, who led the Mumbai Indians (MI), dealt with disappointment as they finished at the bottom of the points table this season as well. However, Pandya scored only 216 runs in 14 matches at an average of 18. He also took 11 wickets. Yuvraj Singh further stated that India’s bowling line-up is quite settled with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.
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“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,” Yuvraj Singh concluded.
