2024 T20 World Cup: Pandya’s selection in question as Rayudu, Irfan pick their 15-man India squads

India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad selection date is nearing, and everyone, from fans to former cricketers – Irfan Pathan and Ambati Rayudu, is busy naming their final 15 for the marquee event starting June 1. While the onus remains on picking the most balanced yet attacking squad, Pathan and Rayudu have had their say on Hardik Pandya’s selection in the Indian Team.

Speaking of Irfan Pathan’s final 15 for the 20-team tournament in the Caribbean and the USA, Pandya finds a place in the team, but under one condition - he will have to contribute with his bowling.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Mumbai Indians skipper has had a torrid run as a player and captain in IPL 2024 since taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. In eight contested matches, Pandya has scored just 151 runs at 142.45 and pickedmere four wickets in 17 overs bowled across all games. His economy over ten (10.94) hasn’t helped the cause either, as Mumbai continues to struggle on the points table, with three wins and five losses thus far.

While Irfan picked just one keeper in Rishabh Pant, with Sanju Samson ahead of KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik in the pecking order (as an option), Pathan named CSK star performer Shivam Dube as a spare all-rounder. Opting against naming both spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, Pathan’s final 15 include just three seamers, with Kuldeep Yadav playing as the lone spinner.

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After naming his first 13, Pathan picked four players with two leg-spinners and two top-order batters as options to name from.

Rayudu’s final 15 includes surprise picks

Pathan's co-panel expert at Star Sports for IPL 2024, Ambati Rayudu, has some surprising inclusions in his final 15 for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Apart from the regular first-team players Rohit, Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Bumrah, Rayudu’s XI includes only two all-rounders – Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rayudu has opted against naming Hardik Pandya in his final squad but picked two uncapped players in Riyan Parag and this year’s find-of-the-season Mayank Yadav.

While both Pathan and Rayudu have named an almost similar pace attack, including Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, Rayudu went ahead with Yuzvendra Chahal as Kuldeep’s partner at the 20-team-tournament.

Ambati Rayudu's India squad for T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav