Virender Sehwag Drops Mumbai Indians Captain Hardik Pandya From His India's T20 World Cup Playing XI

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has named his Indian playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2024. In a shocking turn of events, Sehwag made a controversial choice by not including Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya in his team. Speaking on Club Praire Podcast alongside Adam Gilchrist, the legendary Indian opener opted for Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh as the lower middle order batter. Sehwag also named Sandeep Sharma in his bowling unit instead of Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar. Sandeep Sharma has been in rocking form for table-toppers Rajasthan Royals, and Sehwag hoped that the talented fast bowler would get his opportunity in the T20 World Cup. Sehwag also opened up about the right playing combination for the Men in Blue going into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

Virender Sehwag picks his Indian Squad for the T20 World Cup 2024

With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the cricketing world is making predictions on which players will make the cut for the marquee tournament in the USA and West Indies in June. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also joined the party, revealing his Indian playing XI for the ICC event in June. Speaking on Club Praire Podcast, Sehwag opened up about the right playing combination for the Men in Blue going into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. According to the legendary Indian opener, Rohit Sharma should lead the side, opening the batting alongside the young Yashasvi Jaiswal. Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli are also featured in Sehwag's middle order, with Rishabh Pant as the main wicketkeeper.

"You asked me to pick my playing XI. Hardik will be there in the 15-man squad but not in the XI," Virender Sehwag said.

However, Virender Sehwag has made some bold calls by not picking the Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, whose recent performances are something to worry about, but CSK superstar Ravindra Jadeja has made the cut in Sehwag's XI. Sandeep Sharma made the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The former T20 World Cup winner (2007) picked Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist wrist spinner. Sehwag also revealed that he believes there will be a toss-up between Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh for the final spot in the squad.

The 2007 T20 World Cup winner Virender Sehwag has explained the reasons behind Pandya's exclusion. Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has had a disappointing IPL 2024 season so far. MI have won only three out of their eight matches, mainly due to Hardik Pandya's struggle with both bat and ball. His batting form has been poor, and he hasn't taken many wickets. It remains to be seen whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) go with Hardik Pandya for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

Virender Sehwag's Playing XI for ICC T20 World Cup 2024 (India): Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Sandeep Sharma

Virender Sehwag picks his Team India XI for T20 World Cup 2024 [Club Prairie fire YT]:

Rohit (C), Jaiswal, Kohli, Suryakumar, Pant, Rinku or Dube, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj, Sandeep Sharma. pic.twitter.com/k3ofXCCcOP

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 24, 2024