The upcoming T20 World Cup is the perfect platform for India to re-establish themselves as a powerful force in men's cricket, but an erratic batting line-up threatens to dislodge their attempts. During a conversation with Sports Tak, former batting great Sunil Gavaskar, while sharing his satisfaction with the selected squad, also revealed that the Men in Blue should have seven batters and four specialist bowlers in their playing XI in order to strengthen their batting order.
While admitting that he was impressed with the team, especially with the returns of bowling stalwarts Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, Gavaskar also said that he would keep both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik in the playing XI, with Hardik Pandya as the team's fifth bowler.
"I would play both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. At No.5, Rishabh Pant, No.6 Hardik Pandya or the vice-versa and I'll play Dinesh Karthik at No.7. I would give with Hardik and four other options as bowlers. If you do not take risks, how will you win? You need to take risks in all departments then only you can get rewards," Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
Having been boosted by the returns of Bumrah and Harshal, the bowling unit will be stronger, especially with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal in the team as well. Gavaskar expects to see Bumrah and Harshal in the playing XI, given their death bowling experience.
Sharing his thoughts on the bowlers, he said, "It is a good team. It is a balanced side, we have high hopes for them in terms of winning the World Cup. I think India can win the World Cup because of the balance. What happened in Asia Cup was a wake-up call, I am hopeful that this team will come back with the World Cup. The team that has been selected, we should support that. Now that the time has been announced, we should give our full backing."
"Our problem in the Asia Cup was that we did not have such bowlers that can defend a total. Now that, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel have come back, these two are such bowlers who can defend targets and if you are bowling first, they can strike upfront. The team has become stronger with these two coming together," he added.
India Squad
Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Standby Players
Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar, Shreyas Iyer.
