By Chetan Sharma New Delhi, Sep 13 : Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed his disappointment about Mohammed Shami’s absence from the coming ICC T20 World Cup 15-man squad.
A seasoned Indian pacer Shami was not able to be selected for the squad however he will be heading to Australia as standby.
Following the last T20 World Cup, he was thrown out of India’s T20I scheme.But, following the team’s poor performance in Asia Cup 2022, he was recalled to the team for the South Africa and Australia T20I series.
Madan Lal has suggested that Shami should have been included in Shami’s T20 WC squad as the conditions in Australia will assist him.
“He (Shami) is your top match bowler.In fact, in Australia he is a major player.I’m not sure why he isn’t in the team of 15 players.He is a particular kind of bowler that, in the initial three overs is able to get your wickets” Madan Lal told IANS.
Shami has played just 17 T20Is for India after making his international debut in 2013.
In IPL 2022 the 32-year old took 20 wickets in 16 games and played an integral role in Gujarat Titans’ title triumph in their first season.
“See you require a top bowling machine if you want to take the title.
It doesn’t matter if you score 180, you don’t have the best bowling skills to defend it.They (India) chose three spinners to represent Australia.I don’t believe that spinners will gain much value.On a single day, or on a wicket, they may be beneficial, but for the entire tournament you need a reliable pace bowling unit in Australia.
“I am pleased to see that Jasprit Bumrah as well as Harshal Patel have returned in the squad.Their performance will be checked in the coming series as well.
Arshdeep Singh is gaining knowledge, Bhuvi is also there but India should have included Shami in the team.He is an experienced bowler and the conditions Down Under will help him.”
When asked regarding the Indian batting order as well as KL Rahul’s current form the 1983 World Cup winning team member stated, “he will be fine and will be able to make a comeback I am certain.
“Virat Kohli too was struggling, but he did a great job of regaining his form and Rahul is also a solid batter who can make things work in India’s favor.I’m not worried about India’s batsmen.All is perfectly fine,” he said.
“Also, India should learn from Sri Lanka like they played in the Asia Cup final.Even though they lost five wickets for 50, they persevered and put up a decent total at the final.”
India squad for ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Standby players Mohd Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar.
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