T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli IGNORED, Shubman Gill LEFT- India's T20 World Cup Squad 2024 as announced by Sanjay Manjrekar

As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, cricket fans and experts are predicting India's 15-member squad for the marquee tournament. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar recently picked his India squad for the tournament, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA in June.

The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to announce the squad by May 1. While some players are automatic selections, there's intense debate over the remaining spots. Earlier this year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Rohit Sharma would lead the Indian team in the World Cup.

Sanjay Manjrekar Excludes Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya

Speaking on Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar excluded Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, T20I vice captain Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh. However, the former batter picked uncapped players Mayank Yadav and Harshit Rana, along with spin-bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya, in his list.

Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, amassing 430 runs in nine matches at an average of 61.43 and a strike rate of 145.76, including three fifties and one century. He made history by becoming the first player in IPL history to score 400+ runs in 10 seasons.

Hardik Pandya has struggled to make an impact for the Mumbai Indians (MI). The all-rounder has managed to score 151 runs in eight matches at an average of 21.57 and a strike rate of 142.45. The right-arm pacer has taken only four wickets at a disappointing economy rate of 10.94.

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Sanjay Manjrekar Picks Krunal Pandya As Ravindra Jadeja's Backup

The cricketer-turned-commentator selected Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma's opening partner. He picked Sanju Samson and T20 specialist Suryakumar Yadav for No.3 and No. 4, respectively. He named Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as wicketkeeper-batters in India's squad for the upcoming event.

The 58-year-old included Ravindra Jadeja as the sole all-rounder in the 15-member squad. The former Indian cricketer named spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as the designated specialist spinners. He made a bold call by picking three spin bowlers, including Jadeja, in the playing XI.

Manjrekar selected Jasprit Bumrah to lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. He chose Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Krunal Pandya as a backup for Ravindra Jadeja, considering his impressive performance in IPL 2024.

Manjrekar didn't include Arshdeep Singh, who is a top contender for the third pacer position in India's squad for the ICC tournament. The left-arm pacer has taken 10 wickets in eight matches in the IPL 2024 with an average of 25.70 and an economy rate of 9.40, with his best figures being 4/29.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s India Squad For T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Krunal Pandya

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