Srinagar: In a major claim, noted commentator Harsha Bhogle while boosting about India’s bench strength following the team India T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement claimed that India can name three squads for the same World Cup.
India named their 15-man squad for the World Cup today with four travelling reserves. Surprisingly likes of Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan were not included.
Bhogle suggested that India could make another 15-man squad or even a third squad with all the players that weren’t part of the contention that would fly to the United States in June.
“How does the alternate 15 look?,” Bhogle posted on X .
“Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Ashwin, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed and Varun Chakravarthy. To complete the 15, Rajat Patidar, Natarajan, Krunal Pandya and Ishan Kishan.”
He then went on to name other players who could create a third squad too considering the pool of talent India have.
“You could create a third too built around Riyan Parag, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Sen, Jitesh Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Tushar Deshpande, Nehal Wadhera, Nitish Rana…,” he added.
Earlier today, India announced the squad that included Yuzvendra Chahal, who made his way to the final 15 following an outstanding IPL 2024 campaign, along with fellow spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Meanwhile, the pace attack includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh with Pandya and Dube also available as seam-bowling options.
Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant are the two wicketkeepers in the Indian squad.
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan