Former Indian cricketing maestro, Virender Sehwag, recently shared his meticulously curated dream starting eleven for India in the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024, during an exclusive segment on the esteemed Club Prairie Fire Podcast, where he engaged in dynamic discussions alongside illustrious personalities such as former England Captain Michael Vaughan and the legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
Sehwag, with his characteristic flair and insight, embarked on this exhilarating journey of selection. He began by handpicking the dynamic duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the astute Captain Rohit Sharma to commandeer the opening slots. Elevating the anticipation, he swiftly followed suit with the unwavering cricketing stalwart Virat Kohli, a name synonymous with excellence, for the pivotal third position.
The batting order further unfolded with the inclusion of the Suryakumar Yadav, poised to leave an indelible mark at the coveted fourth spot, seamlessly transitioning into the explosive prowess of Rishabh Pant, poised to electrify the field from the fifth position. As the anticipation mounted, Sehwag presented a tantalizing dilemma for the sixth slot, suggesting to select only one among the formidable options of either Rinku Singh or the indomitable Shivam Dube for the finisher role. Venturing deeper, the seventh slot was expertly filled by the multifaceted all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, his presence poised to infuse dynamism and balance to the squad’s composition.
In a nod to the artistry of spin, Sehwag strategically paired Jadeja with the enigmatic left-arm chinnaman Kuldeep Yadav, envisioning a harmonious blend of aggression and finesse. As the squad took shape, the fast bowling arsenal came into focus, with Sehwag meticulously selecting the trio of Sandeep Sharma, Mohammad Siraj and the mercurial Jasprit Bumrah, each possessing the ability to unleash havoc upon their opponents with their sheer pace and precision.
However, amidst the fervor of selection, Vaughan, ever the astute observer, expressed his astonishment at the conspicuous absence of the genuine pace all-rounder and current Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Hardik Pandya. His query hung in the air, prompting Sehwag to provide clarity on this strategic decision. Sehwag replied that Pandya should be part of fifteen-member squad but not necessarily in the playing XI. Sehwag did not provide a specific reason for not selecting Pandya in his playing eleven.
