Yuvraj Singh Analyses India’s Prospects for T20 World Cup
Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian all-rounder, has shared his insights on India’s first-choice wicket-keeper, the key player who needs to perform, and the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Yuvraj, who played a pivotal role in India’s only Men’s T20 World Cup victory, is fondly remembered for his feat of hitting six sixes in an over off England’s Stuart Broad in the 2007 tournament in South Africa. This memory still brings a smile to his face, even 17 years later.
Yuvraj will once again be part of the T20 World Cup, this time as an ambassador for the 2024 tournament in the USA and Caribbean. The announcement was made by the ICC on 26th April.
As an avid follower of international cricket, Yuvraj sat down with the ICC to discuss various aspects of this year’s tournament and what India needs to do to secure their second T20 World Cup trophy.
T20 World Cup ambassador Yuvraj Singh dissects the options for India’s tournament squad
The Key Player for India’s Success
Yuvraj identified Suryakumar Yadav, the world’s top-ranked T20I batter, as the player who must perform well in the USA and Caribbean for India to win the title. He also emphasized the importance of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s performance.
“Suryakumar Yadav is the key player for India,” Yuvraj stated. “His game-changing ability can alter the course of a match in just 15 balls. For India to win this T20 World Cup, Surya is going to be crucial. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling is equally important, and I would also like to see a leg-spinner like Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad as he has been performing well.”
Highlights of India star Suryakumar Yadav so far at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Age and the Wicket-keeper Debate
While Yuvraj has been impressed with Dinesh Karthik’s performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League this year, he believes Karthik should only be included in India’s T20 World Cup squad if he is guaranteed a spot in the playing XI.
“If DK is not in your XI, there is no point in picking him. We have Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson who are in great form and are younger. I would like to see DK in the mix, but if he is not going to play, you would rather have someone who is younger and can make a difference,” Yuvraj opined.
Rohit Sharma hit 31 sixes in the World Cup.
Unconventional Selection Option for India at T20 World Cup
Yuvraj expressed his desire to see more explosive batters in India’s middle-order at the T20 World Cup. He identified Chennai Super Kings’ left-hander Shivam Dube as a potential game-changer.
“I would like to see Shivam Dube in the squad. He has been in and out of the India team, but this IPL he has been batting very well and he is someone who can be the game-changer,” Yuvraj said.
Most runs in a single edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Future Plans for Rohit and Virat
Yuvraj acknowledged the importance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India’s fortunes at this year’s T20 World Cup. He suggested that after the T20 World Cup, they should consider retiring from T20I cricket and focus on other formats.
“As players age, people start talking about their age and forget about their form. These guys have been great players for India and they deserve to retire when they want. I would like to see more younger players in the T20 format, because it reduces the load on them playing 50-over ODIs and Test matches. After this World Cup, I would like to see a lot of younger guys come into the team and make the T20 side for the next World Cup,” Yuvraj concluded.