NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed his dissatisfaction with Mohammad Chami‘s snob of the next ICC T20 World Cup 15 man team.
Experienced Indian pacer Shami failed to make the cut in the squad but will head to Australia on standby.
After last year’s T20 World Cup, he was out of India’s T20I schedule. However, after the team’s poor show in the 2022 Asian Cup, he was called up to the squad for the South Africa and Australia T20I series.
Madan Lal suggested that Shami should have been chosen for the T20 WC team as the conditions in Australia will help him.
“He (Shami) is your big game bowler. And in Australia he could be very important. I don’t understand why he’s not in the 15-man squad. He’s kind of a bowler who, in the first three overs, can get you wickets,” Madan Lal told IANS.
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India’s squad for the T20 World Cup
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The captain and usher. One of Australia’s hitting stalwarts who likes to hit with the ball coming off the bat well.
The vice-captain and his captain’s opening partner most likely. Had a bad Asian Cup by his standards. Elegant and not to be missed.
The Batter’s Pillar. Back to form after scoring his 71st Asian Cup international. Unstoppable if he launches.
India’s 360 degree drive. Has a wide range of strokes and can punish any bowling attack in his day. A vital cog in the Indian middle order.
Raw but exciting. One of India’s Five Centurions in T20I. Has the power to clean up large lots in Australia.
The Nonconformist. Has fond memories of touring Australia. Had a sensational victory in the Test series at the Gabba in January 2021.
The story that dream comebacks are made of. One of the two players from the current Indian team who played in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 (except Rohit Sharma). Excellent finisher and sure keeper.
His presence gives Team India a totally different look. The ability to hit big shots with the bat and bowl at 140 clicks out makes him a match winner.
Back in the scheme of things in India, can be crucial in drying up runs and getting crucial breakthroughs using his experience and skills.
The leg-spinner is back in form and among the wickets. Although he only took 4 wickets in 4 games in Asian Cup, 3 of them came in one game. Can deflect the ball from the rough and can play well in tandem with Ashwin.
The identical replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, injured. Clever with his rotation of the left arm and handy with the bat. But India will miss outfielder Jadeja on the big Australian pitches.
The spearhead of rhythm. Back in the team after an injury. Winner with the ball, dangerous with the new and deadly with the old. Expert in bowling yorkers at will.
Can swing the new white ball and can disturb batsmen with his incoming deliveries. A capable and experienced pacer to lead the Indian bowling attack with Bumrah.
Return to the team after an injury. Is India’s second wicket taker in T20I this year with 19 wickets. Is a powerful death bowling option.
The left arm pacer can dry out runs in slog overs by making full deliveries. Brings variety to the Indian-paced bowling attack.
His exclusion from the top 15 is a big surprise, despite being named among the reserve players who will travel with the team to Australia.
Drummer Shreyas Iyer, drummer Ravi Bishnoi and pacer Deepak Chahar (excluding Shami) are the four reserve players for the tournament.
The head coach. The former Indian great batsman brings tons of playing experience to Australia and would be keen to erase the blip of an early Asian Cup exit.
Shami played just 17 T20Is for India after making his international debut in 2013. In IPL 2022, the 32-year-old took 20 wickets in 16 matches and played a crucial role in Gujarat’s title triumph Titans in their first season.
“You see, you need a good bowling unit if you want to win the tournament. It doesn’t matter if your team scores 180 but you don’t have a good bowling unit to defend it. They (India) picked three spinners for australia i don’t think odd day or wicket spinners they can be useful but for the whole tournament you need a strong australia bowling unit.
“I’m happy that Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel are back on the team. Their fitness will also be monitored in future playoffs. Arshdeep Singh is learning well, Bhuvi is there too but India should have added Shami to the squad. He’s your experienced bowler and the conditions Down Under can help him.”
Asked about India’s batting order and KL Rahul’s form, the member of the 1983 World Cup winning squad said: “He will be fine and can make a comeback, I’m sure.
“Virat Kohli was also struggling but he made a solid comeback and Rahul is also a good hitter and can turn things around for India. I’m not very concerned about India’s batting order They’re all fine,” he said.
“In addition, India should learn from Sri Lanka as they played in the Asian Cup final. Despite losing five wickets for 50, they kept fighting and made a good total at the end.”
Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh pants (wicket keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket keeper), Hardik PandyaR Ashwin, Yuzvendra ChahalAxar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Waiting players: Mohd Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar.
