Mukesh Kumar Snubbed As Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha Pick India's Pace Attack For T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has selected his preferred four fast bowlers for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Zaheer Khan excluded pacers Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan, who have been regular members of India’s squad in recent series.

Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan were part of the squad in the recently concluded T20I series against Afghanistan. Mukesh Kumar participated in all three games, while Arshdeep was rested in the final match to include Avesh Khan in the playing XI.

Arshdeep Singh Will Get A Slight Variation – Zaheer Khan

In a Colors Cineplex discussion, Zaheer Khan chose Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Shami as his four seamers for the World Cup. Zaheer expressed confidence in their abilities, stating that Arshdeep would bring a left-arm variation.

“I feel you will see (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Siraj for sure. After that, Arshdeep (Singh), you will get a slight variation because he is a left-armer. He bowls good yorkers. So that is an added advantage,” Zaheer Khan said.

“Then I believe (Mohammed) Shami because if he is fit and available, he can be an X-factor option for you during the World Cup. So I will pick these four pacers because four pacers should go for sure,” he added.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami last played together in the ODI World Cup final, where India faced a heartbreaking loss to Australia. Bumrah and Siraj were rested for the Afghanistan series, while Shami, dealing with an ankle injury, was unavailable.

You Need Mohammed Shami For Sure – Pragyan Ojha

Former spinner Pragyan Ojha echoed Zaheer Khan’s sentiment, stating that Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh would be the preferred pacers. Ojha underscored the significance of having Arshdeep in the squad. He said that Mohammed Shami should not be overlooked, considering his performances in the ODI World Cup.

“If the master has said it, let’s put a stamp on that itself. It’s absolutely the right thing. If you talk about Bumrah and Siraj, they are confirmed. The only thing is that you need a left-arm seamer which Arshdeep offers,” Pragyan Ojha said.

Shami showcased his prowess by securing 24 dismissals in last year’s ODI World Cup. The 33-year-old also emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps for the Gujarat Titans team in the IPL 2023. He claimed the Purple Cap as the season’s top wicket-taker.

Shami hasn’t played a single T20I match since India’s loss in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2022. The pacer recently expressed his confidence in securing a berth in the squad for the upcoming ICC tournament. He hoped to showcase his form in the IPL 2024.

Also read: “You Don’t Have Much Time..”- Zaheer Khan On Rohit Sharma