In the Twenty20 World Cup, Yuvraj encourages the struggling Hardik to accomplish “something special” for India

New Delhi, India, May 22 Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has given struggling all-rounder Hardik Pandya encouragement to do “something really special” for Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup, which takes place in the West Indies and the USA from June 1–22. Singh highlighted that Pandya’s bowling and fitness would be critical to the Men in Blue’s success in the competition.

Yuvraj Singh, the ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, spoke on the Indian squad competing in the competition.

For the culmination of T20I cricket, India has already announced a formidable 15-man team and four traveling reserves, captained by Rohit Sharma. Next month, India will begin their pursuit of T20 World Cup glory—a trophy they haven’t taken home since winning the first tournament in 2007. Yuvraj played on that winning squad, and the elegant left-hander is eager to see India win the trophy once again.

Despite showing indications of returning to his bowling ways in the IPL, Pandya’s batting has not been up to standard, with only 216 runs recorded in 14 matches. After a protracted injury absence that began with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, he returned, but the slump followed.

Yuvraj, nevertheless, is adamantly in support of Pandya and believes the all-round player would do something outstanding throughout the competition.

“Well, the fact that a decision has been taken is a positive thing. After evaluating a player’s performance in international cricket, selectors look at their IPL performance. Just not in the IPL format,” Yuvraj said, citing the ICC.

“Because Hardik has not performed well in the IPL, according to his form. It is crucial that he be included in the team, considering his history and accomplishments for India. In my opinion, both his bowling ability and level of fitness will be crucial. “I believe he could accomplish something truly exceptional during this World Cup,” he said.

Along with selecting other players he wanted to watch, Yuvraj began with the starting lineup, which was mostly predictable. He believes that young Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma should bat first for India, with ace batsman Virat Kohli batting third.

“I firmly believe that Yasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma need to open. Virat Kohli bats at number three, and that is where he has been all season. When that happens, you have a few significant alternatives when you get Suryakumar (Yadav) at four,” he said.

“I would like to see a couple of left-hand, right-hand combinations because it is harder to bowl at two combinations all the time,” he said.

Following his inclination for a left-right batting combination throughout the lineup, Yuvraj has favored Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson to play the important duty of wicketkeeper.

In the current Indian Premier League season, both of the wicket-keeper batsmen have been in incredible form.

In addition to taking on the position of captain, Sanju Samson has been essential to the Rajasthan Royals’ batting order this season. Currently ranked sixth on the list of players who have scored the most runs so far this season, he has amassed 504 runs at an astounding strike rate of 156.32 in 14 games, including five fifty-score innings, while helping his club to eight victories and a postseason berth.

On the other hand, after a 14-month layoff due to a near-fatal vehicle accident, Rishabh Pant achieved an incredible recovery. The 26-year-old quickly overcame a slow start to the season to amass 446 runs at a strike rate of 155.40 in 13 games, including three half-centuries.

“I think I would choose Rishabh. Though Rishabh is a left-hander and Sanju is undoubtedly also in excellent form, Yuvraj said that Rishabh “has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past.”

“Lot more in Test cricket, and he’s someone who I feel can be a match-winner on the big stage,” he said.

Before the announcement of Yuvraj’s appointment as the T20 World Cup ambassador, he had a conversation with the ICC.

The former two-time World Cup champion had predicted Shivam Dube would make the team at the time based on his strong IPL play.

In 14 games with the Chennai Super Kings, Dube amassed 396 runs at a strike average of 162.29. Despite only being used as a hitter at first, he gave India another bowling option in the T20 World Cup with his medium-pace right-arm bowling against the Punjab Kings.

“I believe Shivam Dube performed well in his last Twenty20 series for India. Additionally, he has played in the IPL with great consistency. Because of his current form, I thought it was crucial that he be in the squad. It’s great to have him in the Indian T20 team because I really believe he can make a significant impact in the middle order or lower middle order,” Yuvraj added.

“It was hard to, if you look at the guys, make a hard squad, and unfortunately, a couple of really good guys missed out but that is just the nature of selecting the World Cup squad, I guess,” he said.

The loser in this instance was Rinku Singh, who was moved to the reserve list at Dube’s cost. Although Rinku’s IPL performance was below average, he has been brilliant for the Indian national team since his debut, accumulating 356 runs at an incredible strike rate of 176.23 in 11 T20I innings.

Along with pacers Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed on the four-player traveling reserve list, Yuvraj also expressed sorrow for Rinku and Shubman Gill.

“For Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill, it was a little unfortunate. Speaking about Rinku, he has performed well for KKR and has been in excellent form for India. And in the previous several years, I’ve seen a lot of growth in his hitting,” he said.

Regretfully, he and Shubman—who has undoubtedly scored a ton of runs—come from the player who has scored the most hundreds for India in the previous year. The great all-rounder said, “From the last two years, and to miss out, as I said, that’s the nature of selecting a World Cup squad. I am sure these guys will be the first ones whenever there’s an opportunity.”

Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed the home World Cup and four bilateral T20I series, is making his T20I cricket comeback for the first time since August 2023. Yuvraj was happy to have Chahal back by his side.

But his recent IPL exploits, in which he took 14 wickets in 11 matches and made history by becoming the first player to capture 200 wickets in the competition, have set the stage for an incredible return.

Since Yuzvendra Chahal has been bowling so brilliantly, it was good to have him in the lineup. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have a few bowling alternatives available in case the World Cup’s second half sees a slowdown in wickets. Spin,” Yuvraj murmured.

“We have the experience with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Thus, it seems to be a very powerful side, but we need to provide evidence,” he said.

India’s T20 World Cup campaign gets off on June 5 against Ireland, and on June 9, the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match will be played at the recently built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

After that, they will face the co-hosts of the event, the USA (12 June) and Canada (15 June), to complete their Group A fixtures.