T20 World Cup: No Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson as Virender Sehwag names his playing XI for India

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag shared his playing XI for India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is set to pick India's T20 WC squad by end of this month orby May 1 (which is the cut-off date for all participating teams) as the mega event kicks off soon after IPL 2024, on June 1 in West Indies and USA. Sehwag picked his playing XI, with some glaring omissions.

Speaking on Club Praire Podcast alongside former Aussie cricketer Adam Gilchrist, Sehwag's playing XI didn't comprise Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson. The legendary Indian opener opted between Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh as the lower middle order batter whereas also snubbed Arshdeep Singh. Instead of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) pacer, the ex-Indian opener picked Sandeep Sharma -- who has been in fine form for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2024 edition. In match 38, on Monday (April 22), Sandeep starred in RR's nine-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI), in Jaipur, courtesy of a brilliant 5 for 18.

Virender Sehwag's Playing XI for T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Sandeep Sharma.

Speaking on Hardik, Sehwag mentioned that the star all-rounder will make it to India's final squad, however, opted against including him in the final XI due to his poor run in IPL 2024. Hardik has been unimpressive as a leader, for MI, and not created much impact with both bat and ball. Further, Sehwag's spin bowling unit comprised Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja with no room for Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both have been impressive in IPL 2024.

As per reports, India's T20 WC squad is expected to be announced around April 28.