T20 World Cup 2024: "No Confidence in Team India, they are a weak team.."- India's World Cup Winner's rant after squad announcement

Ever since the BCCI unveiled India's 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, former cricketers, experts, and fans have been sharing their views on the primary team.

Now, 1986 World Cup winner Madan Lal has expressed his concerns over India’s preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

The former Indian cricketer Lal expressed his concern over India’s bowling attack and it makes them a weaker team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA in June.

He also questioned the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, who have been struggling with the ball in the ongoing IPL 2024.

While the batting department of India’s preliminary squad has formidable and world-class names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav, the pace bowling contingent comprises Arshdeep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Siraj.

Additionally, the Indian selectors opted for Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan as traveling reserves for the upcoming multi-nation event.

India is going weaker on the pacer side: Madan Lal

The former Indian all-rounder, who was a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, is not confident in the strength of India's pace attack.

He feels that apart from Jasprit Bumrah, the bowling lineup lacks the required potency to excel in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

Madan Lal was quoted as saying by Times of India: “I don't like the pace attack. Other than Jasprit Bumrah, it’s not that good. Siraj has done well (here and there), but his performances at the international level have been patchy. I think India are going weaker on the pacer side. Not only in T20 cricket, you need a good pacer who can get you the wickets to win matches. Bumrah is a wicket-taker and a match-winner. Let's see how Siraj performs. Otherwise, India will rely on Bumrah a lot. The problem is that India should've got another pacer.”

Madan Lal also highlighted the historical significance of a strong pace attack for India's success in the ICC events. He feels Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj might not be reliable options for the Men in Blue.

He also questioned the effectiveness of Hardik Pandya as a bowler, saying the team management may have taken a gamble by including him.

Madan Lal feels T Natarajan should be part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad

He stated, “The pace line-up is the weak link. Apart from Bumrah, we have to see how Siraj and Arshdeep bowl. Looking at the bowling side, I am not getting that much confidence.” In the end, Lal said that if he were the selector, then T Natarajan would be his choice for the T20 World Cup 2024 because of his effectiveness as a death bowler and consistency in delivering under pressure.

The former Indian cricketer admitted that Mayank Yadav showed promise with his pace, but he is so young that he has not much confidence in his ability to consistently perform at the international level. So, he would have picked Natarajan over Mayank in India’s T20 World Cup squad.