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While cricket lovers are waiting with bated breath for the announcement of India's squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2021, cricket experts and pundits are picking their teams for the world event. And now former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has also had his say and picked a 15-member India squad for the ICC event set to begin in October. The tournament will be played across four venues in Oman and UAE. Although his squad was largely along expected lines, there were a few notable omissions in his team.
In an interview on SportsTak, the legendary Indian batter left out Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer. While Dhawan has been a regular performer for India especially in ICC events, Iyer had also done well at the number 4 spot in white-ball cricket but a shoulder injury seems to have pushed him out of the equation.
Gavaskar backs Krunal Pandya to make the cut
Instead, Gavaskar has backed Krunal Pandya to be part of the squad along with his younger brother Hardik Pandya who is a regular member of the team.
"He's (Krunal) an all-rounder, a very experienced player, has performed very well in the IPL for the past many years so he surely deserves a place. He's left-handed, which is an advantage as well," Gavaskar, a part of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, said.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also made it to his team although there is little clarity on Sundar's injury which might rule him out of the event.
As far as the pacers are concerned, the Little Master picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar while also including the names of Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur. In addition, Yuzvendra Chahal was the lone specialist spinner picked by him.
Sunil Gavaskar's India squad for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar (subject to fitness), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal.
It is expected that a total of 18 players might be picked for the marquee event which will also have three reserves, keeping in mind the COVID-19 scenario and a possible third wave. The official announcement of India's squad is expected on September 8.