While at least 10 to 12 players pick themselves, there are multiple contenders for the other spots.
Speaking on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’ about the likely 15 to board the flight, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif revealed his personal selection, which included Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper and Yuzvendra Chahal as the fourth specialist spinner in the squad, besides preferring Riyan Parag over Rinku Singh.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal will open alongside Rohit Sharma. Then Virat Kohli at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, Hardik Pandya at No. 5 and Rishabh Pant at No. 6,” said Kaif.
“I will keep a lot of all-rounders because you need batting depth. So I will say Axar Patel at No. 7 and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8. After that, Kuldeep Yadav, who is a skillful bowler, at No. 9. Then two fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. That makes it your XI,” Kaif explained.
For the remainder of the squad, Kaif explained why he would prefer leg-spinner Chahal over the experience of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
“If I talk about the squad, you will take one more spinner. I feel you will have to keep Chahal. He brings the option of a leg-spinner. Ashwin went last time. He is not taking that many wickets this time (in the IPL). I believe Chahal is a very good bowler in those conditions where the ball will turn,” he opined.
“Then I will go with Shivam Dube. He is in great form and plays spin splendidly. He drives the game very well after six overs. I will take Riyan Parag’s name. He is playing exceptionally well and deserves to be in the squad. That makes it 14, plus I will take Mohammed Siraj’s name. Although he is not in form, he is an experienced bowler and has a fantastic overall record,” Kaif said.
Kaif’s T20 World Cup squad for India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shivam Dube, Diyan Parag, Mohammed Siraj