T20 World Cup 2024: Sunil Gavaskar suggests ideal bowling combination for India, picks Hardik Pandya as second seamer

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar suggested the perfect bowling combination for India in the forthcoming T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue begin their campaign in the showpiece event on June 5, as they face Ireland in New York.

India have picked two seam-bowling all-rounders - Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in their 15-man squad. Gavaskar opined that the former could be used as the second pace bowler in the playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah being the lone specialist seamer. In addition, the former India captain urged the inaugural champions to pick three spinners in the XI but didn't specify their names.

"A balanced bowling attack is the most important in West Indies so that India can go with three spinners and two fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya as the backup fast bowler. I think this will maintain the balance of the team," Gavaskar told Dainik Jagran in an interview.

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The cricketer-turned-commentator was asked to share his take on India's squad for the marquee event. Gavaskar said the Rohit Sharma-led side has a good balance of experience and youth. Gavaskar refused to predict the four semifinalists, saying that all teams look well-balanced ahead of the tournament.

"I believe that this is a team that has a good mix of experience and youth. Along with Rohit, Virat, Surya, Bumrah, there are young players like Yashasvi, Rishabh, Shivam, who strengthen the team," the batting icon added.

"It cannot be said who the four semi-finalists will be because in my view all the teams look balanced," the 74-year-old noted.

India are placed in Group A alongside Ireland, Pakistan, USA, and Canada. The inaugural champions are scheduled to play a solitary warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday, June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

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In the previous edition in 2022, India lost to eventual champions England in the semi-final by 10 wickets. The Asian giants would hope to go the distance this year and end India's long wait for an ICC title.