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Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir played a vital role in India's T20 World Cup win in 2007 and ODI World Cup in 2011. Gambhir did not mince his words while criticising Indian batters for their performance against Pakistan in Asia Cup encounter on September 2. A couple of days later, Gambhir picked his World Cup squad.
The 41-year-old left out bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur out of the World Cup squad. Thakur is currently in India's playing XI for his knack of picking wickets and breaking partnerships. He is also India’s leading wicket-taker in the format since ODI World Cup 2019.
Instead of Thakur, Gambhir added another spin all-rounder to the squad. Washington Sundar who has been in and out of the squad due to injuries has been picked as third spin all-rounder. Sundar played his last ODI against New Zealand in January 2023. He registered a single-digit score and leaked runs at over eight runs per over.
There was much criticism when Yuzvendra Chahal was left out of India’s Asia Cup squad. Gambhir did not pick Chahal in his side either.
The southpaw did not pick India’s no.4 batter Shreyas Iyer in the side. Iyer hit a few boundaries on his return after an injury against Pakistan but lost his wicket to Haris Rauf in an attempt to play a pull shot. Iyer has been India’s most dependable no.4 batter in the past few years.
Also, Gambhir included KL Rahul in the squad whose inclusion hangs by a thread as it is subjected to his fitness. Rahul was ruled out of the first two Asia Cup matches due to a niggle and was sent back home. In his absence, Ishan Kishan capitalized on the opportunity and saved India from a top-order collapse with an 82-run knock at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Gambhir’s World Cup squad for India
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
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