India Face Bowling Selection Headaches In T20 World Cup 2024, Sunil Gavaskar Comes Up With Perfect Plan

New Delhi: Seeking their second T20 World Cup in history, both captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will have selection headaches when the Men in Blue start their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. An unknown territory in the United States and considering the slow wickets in the Caribbean, the Indian selection committee picked three specialist fast bowlers, two pace-bowling all-rounders, two wrist spinners and two left-arm finger-spinning all-rounders for the mega event.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar made it easier for Dravid when he advised that India should go ahead with three spinners and two pacers with Hardik Pandya as the back-up fast bowler. “A balanced bowling attack is the most important in West Indies, so 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 said as quoted to Dainik Jagran. While Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are certainty in the playing XI, Gavaskar didn’t specify who would be the third spinner. If Rohit wants to go with an extra batting option, Axar Patel will rule over Yuzvendra Chahal. Gavaskar’s remark on using Pandya as a backup pacer also meant either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh will be partnering Jasprit Bumrah in the fast bowling attack.

It also means all-rounder Shivam Dube misses the cut. Dube and Pandya are the two pace bowling all-rounders in the side. Popularly known as the ‘Little Master’, Gavaskar also opined the Indian side is well-balanced for the T20 Worled Cup 2024. “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,” he added.