As the deadline for the selection of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad nears, former batter Virender Sehwag has named his strongest XI for the marquee event in the Americas. ICC have set May 1 as the deadline for squad submission for the participating teams. According to reports, India captain Rohit Sharma will sit down with the BCCI selectors in a meeting that is set to take place in New Delhi later this week to discuss India's squad.
One of the biggest talking points has been the form of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is leading Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. However, his poor run of form has raised doubts over his selection for the T20 World Cup squad.
On being asked to name his India T20 World Cup strongest XI, Sehwag decided against picking Hardik, but added that the all-rounder should be selected in the 15-man squad.
Speaking on Club Prairie Fire podcast, Sehwag backed young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal to open with captain Rohit Sharma, followed by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav at no. 3 and 4 respectively.
For the wicketkeeper's role, Sehwag picked Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant, who made his return to cricket in the ongoing season of IPL. Pant had been out of action since December 2022 due to inuries sustained in a life-threatening car crash.
Sehwag then suggested that one of either Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube should be picked in the XI.
He picked two spinners -- Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav -- and three pacers -- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Sandeep Sharma.
Virender Sehwag's Team India Playing XI for T20 World Cup:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Sandeep Sharma