There is a lot of anticipation around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
While the global showpiece tournament is still 1.5 months away, the fans and experts have already started picking their ideal squads for different teams.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has also joined the bandwagon. On Saturday (April 13), Kaif named his 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Kaif’s team included Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper and Yuzvendra Chahal as the fourth specialist spinner. He also preferred Riyan Parag over Rinku Singh.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal will open alongside Rohit Sharma. Then Virat Kohli at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, Hardik Pandya at No. 5 and Rishabh Pant at No. 6," said Kaif while speaking on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues'.
"I will keep a lot of all-rounders because you need batting depth. So I will say Akshar Patel at No. 7 and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8. After that, Kuldeep Yadav, who is a skillful bowler, at No. 9. Then two fast bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. That makes it your XI," he added.
Kaif then explained his decision to pick leg-spinner Chahal over the seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
"If I talk about the squad, you will take one more spinner. I feel you will have to keep Chahal. He brings the option of a leg-spinner. Ashwin went last time. He is not taking that many wickets this time (in the IPL). I believe Chahal is a very good bowler in those conditions where the ball will turn," he opined.
CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube also made a cut into Kaif’s 15-member squad. He also named RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj in the side.
"Then I will go with Shivam Dube. He is in great form and plays spin splendidly. He drives the game very well after six overs. I will take Riyan Parag's name. He is playing exceptionally well and deserves to be in the squad. That makes it 14, plus I will take Mohammed Siraj's name. Although he is not in form, he is an experienced bowler and has a fantastic overall record," Kaif said.
India will open their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York.
Mohammad Kaif's T20 World Cup 2024 squad for India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Mohammed Siraj
