Yuvraj Singh's Top Picks for India's T20 World Cup Squad

### India's Squad for T20 World Cup Announced: Rohit Sharma to Lead

India has unveiled a formidable 15-member squad, along with four travelling reserves, for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team will be led by the experienced Rohit Sharma as they aim to capture T20I cricket's premier title. The tournament is set to begin on June 1 in the West Indies and the USA.

India will commence their campaign next month, seeking to reclaim the T20 World Cup trophy they last won in the inaugural edition in 2007. With a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents, the squad is poised to challenge for the title and end their 17-year wait for T20 World Cup glory.

Yuvraj Singh, a key player from India's triumphant 2007 T20 World Cup team, is eager to see India reclaim the trophy. As an ambassador for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Yuvraj has shared his preferred lineup for the Indian squad.

He began by selecting the top order, which featured few surprises, reflecting a blend of experience and consistency. Yuvraj's picks underscore his desire to see India lift the trophy once again in the tournament starting next month.

"I think Rohit (Sharma) and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal should definitely open," Yuvraj Singh stated. "Virat (Kohli) has been batting at No. 3, and that's his position. Then you have Surya (Yadav) at four, followed by several strong options."

Yuvraj emphasized the advantage of having left-hand and right-hand combinations in the batting lineup, as it makes it more challenging for bowlers to maintain a consistent line and length. 

Following this strategy, Yuvraj prefers Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the crucial wicket-keeper's role. Both wicket-keeper batters have displayed exceptional form in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, but Pant's left-handed batting provides the desired combination.

Sanju Samson has excelled this year as both the captain and a key batsman for the Rajasthan Royals. Ranking seventh among the season's leading run-scorers, Samson has amassed 504 runs in 14 matches at a striking rate of 156.32, steering his team to eight wins and securing a playoff spot.

In contrast, Rishabh Pant made a stunning comeback after a near-fatal car accident that sidelined him for 14 months. Despite a slow start, the 26-year-old found his rhythm, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches with a strike rate of 155.40.

"I'd probably go for Rishabh," Yuvraj Singh commented. "Sanju is in great form, but Rishabh, being a left-hander, adds balance. He has massive potential to win games for India, as he has shown before, especially in Test cricket. He's a match-winner on the big stage."

Despite concerns about vice-captain Hardik Pandya's form, who has struggled with the bat in the IPL, Yuvraj remains confident in his impact for the T20 World Cup. Pandya has scored only 216 runs in 14 matches since returning from a lengthy injury layoff dating back to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. However, his bowling has shown signs of improvement.

"The good thing is the selection has been made," Yuvraj noted. "Selectors consider international performance alongside IPL form. Though Hardik hasn't excelled in the IPL, his contributions to India are significant. His bowling and fitness will be crucial, and I believe he might deliver something special in this World Cup."

Before India finalized its squad, Yuvraj Singh discussed his role as the ambassador for the T20 World Cup with the ICC.

During this conversation, the former two-time World Cup winner expressed his belief that Shivam Dube would secure a place in the squad due to his impressive performances in the IPL.

Dube showcased his prowess by scoring 396 runs in 14 matches for the Chennai Super Kings, boasting a striking rate of 162.29. Initially considered primarily as a batter, he showcased his versatility by bowling his right-arm medium pace against Punjab Kings, providing India with an additional bowling option for the T20 World Cup.

 "I think with Shivam Dube, the last T20 series he played for India, I think he did well. And he’s been very consistent in the IPL as well," Yuvraj noted. "I just felt the kind of form he’s in, it was important for him to be in the squad. I really think he can make a huge difference in the middle order or the lower middle order, so it’s good to see him in the Indian T20 squad.

"It was hard to, if you look at the guys, it was a hard squad to make, and unfortunately couple of really guys missed out but that’s just the nature of selecting the World Cup squad I guess."

Rinku Singh was the casualty in this case, having been relegated to the reserve list at the expense of Dube. Rinku has had a below-par IPL but has been in sublime touch in the Indian colors since making his international debut, amassing 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at a breathtaking strike rate of 176.23.

Yuvraj expressed sympathy for both Rinku and Shubman Gill, another player who is in the four-person traveling reserve list.

“It was a bit unfortunate for Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh,” he said. If I talk about Rinku, obviously he has been in good form for India and he has done so well for KKR. And I see a lot of improvement in his batting in the last couple of years.

“Unfortunate for him and Shubman obviously, scoring tons of runs, from the last year someone who has scored the most number of hundreds for India. From the last two years, and to miss out, as I said that’s the nature of selecting a World Cup squad and I’m sure these guys will be the first ones whenever there’s an opportunity.”

Yuvraj was pleased to see Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, marking his return to T20I cricket for the first time since August 2023, after which he missed the home World Cup and four bilateral T20I series.

However, his recent IPL performances – where he has picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches and also became the first-ever player to take 200 wickets in the tournament history – have paved the way for a remarkable comeback.

“It was nice to see Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, because he’s been bowling really well,” Yuvraj said while speaking overall about the bowlers. “And second half of the World Cup, you might have wickets slowing down so it’s good to keep some bowling options. Spin.

“We have Jasprit (Bumrah), (Mohammed) Siraj, we have the experience with Arshdeep (Singh) as well. So looks like a really strong side but we have to prove it.”

India’s T20 World Cup campaign begins on 5 June against Ireland before the newly-constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York takes center stage for the epic India vs Pakistan clash on 9 June.

They will later play tournament co-hosts USA (12 June) and Canada (15 June) to wrap up their Group A matches.

‘Out of this World’ by Sean Paul and Kes: The official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 anthem

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Limited tickets remain available for all matches in New York, including access to the Premium Club and the exclusive Diamond Club, where fans can rub shoulders with the legends of the game in the best seats in the house. Watch India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, Canada, Ireland and our hosts USA and be part of history at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Visit tickets.t20worldcup.com to get your tickets.