Former Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring some surprising selections and omissions.
Wicketkeeper:
Zaheer has opted for Rishabh Pant as the sole wicketkeeper in his team, overlooking other contenders like Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. He believes Pant’s all-around abilities and experience make him the best choice.
Pace Bowlers:
Zaheer has included four pace bowlers in his squad, with the notable addition of left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. Dayal has impressed in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, and Zaheer sees him as a valuable option to add variety to the attack. Mohammed Shami’s injury layoff has also influenced this selection.
All-Rounders:
Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the two all-rounders in Zaheer’s squad. Dube provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Pandya offers a versatile skillset with his batting, bowling, and fielding.
Spinners:
Ravindra Jadeja is the lone spinner in the squad. His all-around abilities, including his exceptional fielding and batting, make him an indispensable asset.
Batters:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli form the core of Zaheer’s batting lineup. Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are competing for the opening slot, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh provide depth in the middle order.
Key Omissions:
Zaheer’s squad notably omits KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, who are all considered strong contenders for the wicketkeeper role. He also overlooks Dinesh Karthik, who has been in impressive form in recent times.
Zaheer’s Rationale:
Zaheer believes that his squad provides the best balance and flexibility for the T20 World Cup. He emphasizes the importance of having four pace bowlers to exploit the conditions in Australia. He also values the all-around abilities of his players, who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
