'Pls be aware what is T20 format' - Netizens hit back at Mohammad Azharuddin for his comments on India's World Cup squad

India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup was announced on Monday and the Men in Blue will now divert all their attention towards preparing for the global event. The Indian team’s campaign at the Asia Cup started on a high, but they could not keep the momentum going and ended up being knocked out of the tournament in the Super Four.

India’s World Cup squad saw Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel mark their return after successfully recovering from their respective injuries. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin expressed his surprise at the exclusion of two standout players from the main squad- Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer, as both of them have been included as reserve players.

“Surprised at the omission of Shreyas Iyer and Md. Shami from the main squad. Shreyas Iyer instead of Deepak Hooda and Md. Shami in the place of Harshal Patel would be my choice,” Azharuddin wrote in his tweet sharing his opinion on the squad.

India had to make some tough calls for the team, based on the players’ performances in recent times in the shortest format of the game, and the management put forth a strong squad in place. However, Azharuddin's tweet was not well received by the audience, who chose to mock the formerly fashionable right-hander. Shreyas Iyer's vulnerability to short-pitched deliveries was highlighted by Twitter users, who also claimed that Australia's bumpy tracks could expose him.

Some major changes in Indian roster compared to the previous World Cup

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's knee injury has forced him out of the T20 World Cup, which is a significant setback to Team India. But after Bumrah and Harshal Patel missed out on the Asia Cup, the news of their return came as a piece of great news for the Indian fans. Younger spinner Ravi Bishnoi was edged out by seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, while pacer Avesh Khan was unable to keep his spot for the T20 World Cup.

Apart from the T20 World Cup, India also announced the roster for the Australia and South Africa T20I series, and Shami has been included in both. Both Australia and South Africa will be touring India between September-October and would prove beneficial for the teams to prepare them for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, here’s how Twitter reacted on Azharuddin’s comment: