The inclusion of Hardik Pandya in the selection of the Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2024 has been a matter of controversy. Despite a lot of speculation and deliberations, the selectors have selected Hardik as the vice-captain, considering him as a vital member of the team.
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The Indian team selectors have included four spin bowlers in the squad – Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. As a result, Rinku Singh has been left out of the squad.
In an interview with the Times of India, former India manager and Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner Sunil Subramaniam revealed that according to him India could have picked one less spin bowling all-rounder, and Rinku could have been played instead. He also said that the inclusion of fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed in the team in place of Hardik Pandya would have given more balance to the team.
Subramaniam further said, “India have opted for one spin-bowling all-rounder too much. Rinku Singh in place of Axar and Khaleel Ahmed in place of vice-captain Hardik would have given a better balance to the team. There is no chance of both wrist spinners playing, especially in Nassau County, New York. It is a Mickey Mouse ground, with a straight boundary of only 55 metres. Also, it is a drop-in pitch. Against Pakistan, they can play with only one spinner and that can be Jadeja as they would like to include fast bowlers in the team who can bowl yorkers.”
However, about Kuldeep and Chahal playing together, Subramaniam said that it is impossible. He said, “Only if they are in a winning position. If Hardik is unable to bowl four overs and if a fast bowler gets injured, then it can happen. But only in the West Indies leg of the tournament. The only way to play both wrist spinners is to take out Jaiswal and open with Kohli and Rohit. They will not do that. They will err on the side of caution.”
The Indian team’s first match in the T20 World Cup 2024 is against the West Indies in Antigua on June 23. In this important tournament, the performance of the Indian team and the role of Hardik Pandya will be watched by all.
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