Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad has requested selection committee to pick the 15 best players in the squad for T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. On double header Sunday in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Prasad took to his X account to post a message for the Ajit Agarkar-led committee.
“I hope and pray that the best 15 T20 players in India are on the plane for the T20 World Cup,” Prasad wrote on X.
“We can win the tournament with the talent we have but important to pick the best,” he added.
Prasad impressed with Dube
Prasad posted the message after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) big-hitter Shivam Dube smashed an unbeaten 66 off 38 deliveries including 10 fours and two sixes against Mumbai Indians (MI). Earlier this month, Prasad had backed Dube as India’s middle-order batter in the mega event. In addition, he named two batters who will make India a formidable side.
“Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC,” he opined.
The 54-year-old also expressed that with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the top-order, there is just one spot left open currently which is for a wicketkeeper-batter.
“With Virat and Rohit, this will leave spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out,” he added.
Pant likely to be in the squad
Earlier, sources privy to the development about India's T20 World Cup selection told Sports Tak that Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant is likely to be considered for the wicketkeeper-batter spot. Other wicketkeeper-batters in contention for the spot include Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Dinesh Karthik.
Kaif backs Pant, Dube
Recently, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif also included Pant in the side as wicketkeeper-batter. Like Prasad, he included Dube in the side as well. The 30-year-old was a part of India’s T20I squad against Afghanistan and impressed everyone with two unbeaten half-centuries from three games.
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