India’s ICC Trophy Drought
The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. India hasn’t won an ICC title in over a decade, despite reaching the semi-finals and finals several times. The team is eager to end this long wait for a trophy, and one player who might be crucial to their success is all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes Pandya should play a role similar to Yuvraj Singh’s during India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory.
Importance of All-Rounders
All-rounders play a vital role in T20 cricket due to their ability to contribute both with the bat and ball. Jaffer emphasizes that Hardik Pandya, along with Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja, will be key players for India in the tournament. Their multi-skilled talent makes them essential in the playing XI. Jaffer also suggests that Axar Patel could be a valuable addition against teams that struggle with spin.
Wasim Jaffer’s Perspective
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Jaffer shared his views with ESPNCricinfo, highlighting the importance of Hardik Pandya’s performance. He mentioned that Yuvraj Singh was instrumental in India’s past World Cup victories, and similar expectations are now placed on Pandya. Alongside Pandya, Dube and Jadeja’s roles will be critical, with Patel being a strategic choice in certain matches.
Jaffer’s India Playing XI for Ireland Clash
Jaffer also picked his preferred Indian XI for the upcoming clash against Ireland, excluding Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. His lineup includes:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
These players, according to Jaffer, have the potential to bring India closer to ending their ICC trophy drought and achieving success in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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