Virender Sehwag names his squad for T20 World Cup 2024

With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the world is making predictions on which players will cut the marquee tournament in the USA and West Indies in June. Former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, also recently revealed his picks for India's ideal playing XI.

Speaking recently on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, Sehwag opened up about the playing combination he believes should represent Men in Blue at the T20 World Cup. According to Sehwag, Rohit Sharma should lead the side, opening the batting alongside the young Yashasvi Jaiswal. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav also feature in Sehwag's middle order, which also includes the dynamic Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.

However, the former opener has made some bold calls. Most notably, he has omitted the all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whose recent performances are something to worry about, but star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has made the cut in Sehwag's XI. Equally surprising is the inclusion of the relatively unheralded Sandeep Sharma in the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Also read: Irfan Pathan names his squad for T20 World Cup 2024

The former T20 World Cup winner (2007) spin department consists solely of Kuldeep Yadav, leaving no room for the experienced Yuzvendra Chahal. The former batter also revealed that he foresees a toss-up between Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh for the final spot in the squad.

Hardik will be there in the 15-man squad: Sehwag

The former attacking opener has explained the reasons behind Pandya's exclusion. 

“You asked me to pick my playing XI. Hardik will be there in the 15-man squad but not in the XI,” he said.

Hardik, who is currently leading the Mumbai Indians in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has had a disappointing season in all aspects of the game. MI have won only three out of their eight matches so far. Pandya's batting form has been poor, and he hasn't taken many wickets either. While, the former opener-backed Sandeep Sharma, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024, has been among the wickets, the Indian national team doesn't consider him good enough for selection.

Virender Sehwag”s Playing XI for ICC T20 World Cup 2024 (India): Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Sandeep Sharma