The 15-member Indian T20 World Cup roster was reviewed by legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar for the competition in Australia later this year. Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, two pacers, came back, while Deepak Hooda and Arshdeep Singh kept their positions.
The national selection committee announced the 15-person India roster for the T20 World Cup on Monday, including the reinstated pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and the death overs specialist Harshal. Both players were unable to compete due to injuries in the just finished Asia Cup T20 event, which witnessed India’s elimination in the “Super 4” round. While Avesh Khan was excluded from the bowling lineup, the seasoned Mohammed Shami returned to it but just as a backup.
India also changed their spin assault, with senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defeating Ravi Bishnoi. Axar Patel, who replaces the injured Ravindra Jadeja, covers the base alongside Yuzvendra Chahal and Ashwin.
Bishnoi, who has made the most of his few opportunities to compete at the highest level, is still on the standby list, but veteran Sunil Gavaskar believes the youngster has experience on his side. For the Indian team management, he advised the leggie to become a “undroppable” player.
When Bishnoi first played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), spin legend Anil Kumble served as the team’s head coach for Punjab Kings. He was given a spot in the new Lucknow Super Giants squad thanks to his continuous play. The 22-year-old has so far taken 16 wickets for India in 10 T20 Internationals.
Gavaskar said in an interview with India Today that the young player has age on his side and that there will be another T20 World Cup in a few years. “He should now perform in such a way that he becomes undroppable. So that’s the only way to look at it. He is a young man, it’s good experience for him to know he can’t get into every team,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar added that the side appears stronger now that Bumrah and Harshal are back. The back issue that has kept Bumrah out of action since mid-July prevented him from competing, and a rib problem prevented Harshal from competing in the Asia Cup.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, who participated in the Asia Cup, have both been kept by India. One of the backups is Deepak Chahar.
“This seems like a very good team. With the addition of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, it appears that India will be able to defend its totals. India has struggled to do so. The addition of these two stalwarts will undoubtedly give India the advantage when defending totals.
“Deepak Chahar is one name that stands out, but they have also retained Arshdeep Singh, who gives a left-arm option in the attack. Like I said, it’s a good selection. We can always crib about this thing and that thing. But now the selection is done, this is India’s team. So let’s not ask why not this, why not that? We should back this team 100 per cent. Now that the selection is done, it’s our team, back them 100 per cent,” Gavaskar further added.
