T20 World Cup 2024: Ravindra Jadeja dropped as Irfan Pathan picks these two spinners for ICC tournament
Updated - 28 Apr 2024, 04:51 PM
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Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan offered advice to Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid on squad selection for the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and USA. Irfan Pathan stated that India must pick wicket-taking bowlers to win the trophy in the ICC tournament.
As the deadline for announcing the squad nears, discussions are heating up regarding India's team composition. The selectors face challenges considering the performances of players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The announcement of India's squad is expected in the coming days.
Need Five Good Five Bowlers - Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan emphasized the importance of having five quality bowlers in the T20 World Cup squad. He suggested including two wrist-spinners, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav, in the XI, leaving out Ravindra Jadeja.
“You need five good bowlers — that’s a must. What are your wicket-taking options? When you’re talking about Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8 and playing as a spin (all-rounder), I would rather have two wrist-spinners playing,” Pathan told Star Sports.
“I would rather have two proper wrist-spinners playing, (Ravi) Bishnoi and Kuldeep (Yadav), in my playing XI. If you look at Bishnoi’s numbers, you know, when he played, he was pretty good,” he added.
The Fielding Part Of It As Well - Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan omitted Yuzvendra Chahal from the squad, citing concerns about his fielding capabilities. Pathan emphasized the importance of bowlers balancing their fielding skills alongside their bowling abilities.
“Yes, we’re talking about Chahal right now because of the IPL performances but don’t forget the fielding part of it as well. If you have to balance the fielding, you have to balance where a bowler can bowl at the particular area,” he said.
Yuzvendra Chahal last featured in a T20I match against the West Indies in August last year. The leg spinner is India's leading wicket-taker in the short format. He has taken 96 wickets in 80 matches at an average of 25.09 and an economy rate of 8.19, with his best bowling figures being 6/25.
Can Blindly Say Is Jasprit Bumrah - Irfan Pathan
The former Indian cricketer emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah is the only automatic selection in the squad. Pathan highlighted the need for at least two other fast bowlers who can consistently feature in the playing XI.
“There’s only one player who you can blindly say (certain for selection) is Bumrah. But apart from Bumrah, you need at least two fast bowlers who can be part of the regular XI,” Pathan continued.
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ICC T20 World Cup 2024 India National Cricket Team Irfan Pathan
