Irfan Pathan Selects 15-Member Indian Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup, Omits Notable Players

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has unveiled his 15-player India squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June. Pathan's squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, but notably excludes several high-profile names.

Rohit Sharma has been named as the captain of Pathan's squad, with Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant among the familiar faces included. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has also earned a spot, with Pathan highlighting the left-hander's impressive performances in the ongoing IPL 2024.

However, the absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer from Pathan's lineup has sparked debates among fans and pundits. Both players have been consistent performers in the T20 format but have been overlooked in favor of emerging talents like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. Pathan emphasized the importance of all-round abilities, with Hardik Pandya's inclusion contingent on his bowling fitness.

Why this matters: The selection of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup is always a topic of intense scrutiny and discussion. With the tournament set to take place in different conditions in the West Indies and USA, the selectors face tough decisions in finding the right balance and personnel for the team. The omission of established players like Rahul and Iyer highlights the increasing competition for spots and the emphasis on versatility in the modern T20 game.

Pathan's squad also features a three-pronged pace attack comprising Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as the main spin options. Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and Yuzvendra Chahal have been kept as reserve players. "The squad has a good mix of youth and experience, with players who can adapt to different conditions and situations," Pathan said while explaining his selections. The actual Indian squad for the T20 World Cup is set to be announced later this week, with the selectors facing some tough calls in light of the impressive performances by several players in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Irfan Pathan unveils his 15-player India squad for 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Rohit Sharma named captain, Kohli, Bumrah, Yadav, and Pant included.
• Rahul and Iyer excluded, Pandya's inclusion contingent on bowling fitness.
• Squad features mix of experienced players and promising young talents.
• Actual squad to be announced later, selectors face tough decisions.