Agarkar: India’s T20 World Cup squad cannot replace Hardik’s contribution; Rohit considers various playing XI options

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has kept the cricketing world on edge with his comments on India’s possible combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. In a press conference on Thursday, Rohit emphasized the need to keep all options open and assess the conditions before finalizing the playing eleven.

“We will be playing in different venues in the West Indies. We need to understand how the pitches will be like and what sort of combination you need based on the opposition,” Rohit said, highlighting the importance of adaptability in team selection.

One of the key inclusions in the squad was all-rounder Shivam Dube, who impressed with his performances for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and the T20I series against Afghanistan. Despite his selection, it was a tough call for the selectors to leave out Rinku Singh, who has been a reliable finisher in T20 cricket.

Former India fast bowler and chairman of the national selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, explained the rationale behind the decisions, emphasizing the need for a balanced squad with multiple options.

The press conference also touched upon the fitness of vice-captain Hardik Pandya, with Agarkar expressing confidence in the all-rounder’s form and contribution to the team’s balance.

With a mix of youth and experience in the squad, India is hopeful of ending their ICC title drought and making a strong statement in the T20 World Cup. The team management remains optimistic about their chances and is focused on building a winning combination for the tournament.