Brian Lara, the legendary West Indian cricketer, has shared his preferred 15-member side ahead of the announcement of India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024. In a social media post by Star Sports, Lara unveiled his dream roster, led by skipper Rohit Sharma.
Joining the bandwagon of veteran cricketers and experts predicting the probable India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara has stepped into the fray. The tournament, scheduled to kick off on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies, will see India, placed in Group A, facing off against Ireland in their opening match on June 5.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set May 1 as the deadline for all teams to announce their World Cup squads. New Zealand was the first to reveal their squad, led by Kane Williamson, on Monday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to follow suit and unveil their 15-member team on Wednesday. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has allegedly held an informal discussion with Indian captain Rohit Sharma regarding the potential squad. Agarkar is now poised to convene with his selection committee counterparts before formally declaring the final roster.
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“Cricket World Cup Squad Updates: New Zealand First, BCCI Next; Brian Lara’s India Insights”
Leading up to the crucial decision, Brian Lara has disclosed his favored squad for India, which features several unexpected choices. His selection hints at Yashasvi Jaiswal as the potential opening partner for Rohit Sharma, as he previously cautioned against selecting Virat Kohli as an opener.
During a recent discussion with Star Sports, Brian Lara expressed his views, stating, “They are great players (Rohit and Virat), but I believe there should be a youthful flair at the opening spot. One of the younger players should showcase their skills and capabilities, while an experienced player guides the innings from the middle order till the end. Although having experienced players upfront can be beneficial, their early dismissal could have a detrimental impact. Therefore, I would utilize one at the opening slot and the other at No. 3.”
“Brian Lara’s Bold Picks: Sanju Samson Over KL Rahul for Backup Wicketkeeper in World Cup Squad”
In one of his initial notable selection decisions, Lara opted for Sanju Samson as the backup wicketkeeper, alongside Rishabh Pant as the primary choice, leaving out KL Rahul. This choice contrasts with reports suggesting that despite leading the run tally among the wicketkeeping contenders with 385 runs in IPL 2024, Samson could potentially lose out to Rahul for the Indian team spot due to the variety of shots Rahul offers.
Several notable exclusions were observed in Lara’s lineup, notably Rinku Singh, who had been groomed by the Indian team for the finisher role. Despite scoring 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.23 in his 15 matches for India since his debut last year, he was left out. Mohammed Siraj was also omitted due to his inconsistent form in IPL 2024, with Sandeep Sharma taking his place. Sharma’s impressive performance for Rajastan Royals, particularly with both the new and old ball, earned him a spot. Additionally, Lara included Mayank Yadav as an extra pacer, acknowledging his raw pace and wicket-taking abilities in the three IPL games he played before being sidelined with an injury while representing Lucknow Super Giants.
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