'We are definitely handicapped': Rohit Sharma, Dravid issued a STERN caution by former IND cricketer

The T20 fever has gripped a lot of countries as they represent themselves with some of their top-tier talent in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. With the spectacle taking place in the US and West Indies, it has attracted a lot of attention as the teams continue with their campaign. One of the teams that will look to enter the competition and wreak havoc in India, who will aim to open their campaign with a blast after they shined in the warm-ups against Bangladesh.

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Former India cricketer fires off a stiff warning on the Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid-led Team India's lack of bowling choices

Former Indian cricket and T20 World Cup champion Irfan Pathan, while speaking at an appearance at Star Sports, appealed to head coach Rahul Dravid that Jaiswal, who has emerged as a consistent bowler in the nets for India and Rajasthan Royals, should be selected with Shivam Dube since India lacks sufficient bowling alternatives.

“With the selected team, there can be two combinations. In one combination, you can play with six bowlers, including Axar Patel, to deepen the batting lineup. In the other combination, you can play with four front-line bowlers and expect Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya to bowl. Another option for Team India is a young player who bowls in the nets but hasn’t bowled in matches, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shivam Dube also mentioned during the IPL that he has been regularly bowling in the nets, preparing to bowl one or two overs in the World Cup.

"If Hardik can give you the option of bowling three to four overs, this problem will be largely solved. Our other batsmen, like Rohit, Virat, or Suryakumar Yadav, can’t bowl, which makes us somewhat handicapped. Ideally, if any of these players could bowl, it would greatly benefit the team. We talk about Australia, but even England has many all-rounders among their top seven players, including Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and Will Jacks. It’s always better to have more bowling options, and yes, in this scenario, we are definitely handicapped,” Irfan Pathan said.

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After their warm-up mayhem against Bangladesh, Team India will be in action at the group stage opener clash against Ireland on June 05, 2024, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island, New York.