IND vs PAK: Not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli! Eoin Morgan names Indian player to watch out for; hands 'favorites' tag to this team

Former England captain and commentator Eoin Morgan has picked the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team as his favorites to clinch the coveted trophy in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Eoin Morgan mentioned that two cricket teams can be selected from India without losing competitiveness.

The Indian team is one of the strong title contenders in the ongoing marquee tournament. The Men in Blue were eliminated after a semifinal defeat against England in the last edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia. Notably, the Indian team has failed to secure the trophy since their win in the 2007 edition.

The inaugural champions started their campaign with a victory against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday, June 9. The Indian team bowled out the opposing team for 96 runs in 16 overs. They chased down the target with eight wickets and 46 balls to spare.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will face archrivals Pakistan in their next match in New York on Sunday. The Men in Blue will boost their chances of reaching the Super 8 stages of the prestigious tournament. They are currently in second place in the Group A table with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of +3.065.

Favorites For Me Are India - Eoin Morgan

Speaking to Sky Sports, Eoin Morgan expressed his belief that India is the favorite team in the ongoing tournament. The World Cup-winning captain said that India could even field two competitive squads.

"Favourites for me are India. They are so, so strong. I think, they probably could have selected two squads and still be competitive with both," Morgan told Sky Sports. 

I'm Excited To See Shivam Dube On The World Stage - Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan stated that he is excited to see Shivam Dube on the world stage, particularly noting his power-hitting abilities for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Morgan said that Dube has improved his performance against fast bowlers in recent times.

"I'm excited to see Shivam Dube on the world stage. In the last couple of years in a Chennai Supper Kings shirt, batting in the middle order with the immense power that he has, and I think an extra string to his bow now is how he plays fast bowling. He has both six and four-hitting options when he first comes in. So, again, for different reasons, being a left-hander and watching a young exciting player come through. I'm looking forward to see him play, but I have India as strong favourites," Morgan added

Shivam Dube has shown impressive batting prowess for the Chennai Super Kings. Dube has scored 1103 runs at an average of 34.47 and a strike rate of 159.16, including eight half-centuries. The southpaw can contribute as a seam-bowling all-rounder alongside Hardik Pandya in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup. 

Dube has also taken eight wickets in 21 T20 internationals at an average of 45 with an economy rate of 9.86.

Also read: IND vs PAK: "Pakistan will have to play the World Cup qualifiers"- Shoaib Akhtar's shocking verdict on Babar Azam's team