The Indian team is presently in Sri Lanka for six limited-overs matches, and with the T20 World Cup coming up later this year, the players are putting their best foot forward to be selected in the group that will travel to the United Arab Emirates. India is spoiled for choice with such a large pool of young players, but former Australia spinner Brad Hogg knows exactly who he wants in his Playing XI.
Every team is currently concentrating on the forthcoming major event, the T20 World Cup 2021, which will be held later this year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The worldwide showcase event was initially scheduled to take place in India, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted to move the competition to the United Arab Emirates owing to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Since India is hosting the event, supporters are expecting them to do well. Virat Kohli will also be under pressure because he has yet to lead Team India to an ICC trophy. India won an ICC championship in 2013 when MS Dhoni-led the ‘Men in Blue’ to victory in the Champions Trophy.
Many experts have begun to provide their forecasts and analyses of many sides before the major event. Former Australia great Brad Hogg has announced his India XI for the T20 World Cup, joining the bandwagon.
Hogg has selected a team of 11 players to represent India at the World Cup. Hogg went with Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli at the top of the order, which meant there was no place for Shikhar Dhawan, who has recently been in terrific form in the IPL. Hogg went with Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3, KL Rahul at No. 4, and Rishabh Pant as a floater at No. 4.
Hogg on his India XI
“My Indian team going into the T20 World Cup would have Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening the batting. I might be a bit harsh on Shikhar Dhawan but they need some attacking players in the middle-order and so they need to push Kohli up the order,” Hogg said.
“I have Suryakumar Yadav, a youngster to international cricket, at No.3. I think his versatility is going to add a bit of spice to that batting line-up. KL Rahul is the prime runner for the No.4 spot. Coming in at No.5 is Rishabh Pant and I would keep him as a floater. If there is a wicket falling in the seventh over, I would send him up the order at dominate against spin. I would have Hardik Pandya at No.6 and Ravindra Jadeja at No.7,” Hogg added.
When it comes to the bowling lineup, Hogg believes it will be crucial to see who among Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal gets the nod, while the fast-bowling combo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah gets the nod.
“If Kuldeep Yadav does well in Sri Lanka, having a left-arm wrist-spinner could be a point of difference. But at the moment, Chahal is the number one spinner. Someone like a Thakur could get an opportunity due to his explosive batting and he is also good in the powerplay and at the death. Then you got Bhuvi and then Bumrah,” Hogg concluded.
Here is Brad Hogg’s India XI:
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.
