Tom Moody, Mitchell McClenaghan and Wasim Jaffer spoke about their strongest playing XI for Team India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the end of June.
Three of them were discussing India’s possible XI on ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout show last night after the Kings of Punjab defeated Chennai Super Kings in Chepauk. The countdown to the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies has begun as we are just a month away from seeing India take on Ireland in their first match in New York.
Wasim Jaffer picks Siraj over Arshdeep, Kuldeep over Chahal and Pant over Samson
The host had asked Wasim Jaffer, Mitchell McClenaghan and Tom Moody to give their best XI for the Indian team for this June’s T20 World Cup.
Leave your Indian starting XI for the #T20WorldCup ✍️#Time is over pic.twitter.com/giHnuh9RtX
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 2, 2024
Wasim Jaffer started by naming his best XI for Team India. He picked the same expected batting order: Rohit Sharma-Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers, Virat Kohli-Suryakumar Yadav at no. 3 and 4. In the middle order, Jaffer elected to go with Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant at no. 5 instead of Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube is ranked 6.
In the lower-middle order, Jaffer entrusted vice-captain Hardik Pandya at number 7 and picked Ravindra Jadeja over Axar Patel at number 7.
Wasim Jaffer then snubbed Yuzvendra Chahal for China’s Kuldeep Yadav as the only wrist-spinner in the team. In the pace bowling department, the former opening batsman denied Arshdeep Singh the opportunity to allow Mohammad Siraj to pair up with frontline seamer Jasprit Bumrah.
Wasim Jaffer’s India XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah
Mitchell McClenaghan agrees with Jaffer but chooses Arshdeep instead of Siraj
Then it was Mitchell McClenaghan’s turn to pick his best Indian XI. He kept the entire XI exactly the same but made one change there. The former New Zealand pacer decided to opt for left-arm spinner Arshdeep Singh instead of Jaffer’s pick Mohammad Siraj. He kept Arshdeep with Jasprit Bumrah to have a combination of right-hand and left-hand bowling.
Mitch McClenaghan’s India XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
Tom Moody says selection of Siraj and Arshdeep depends on opponent’s batting line-up
After McClenaghan, the focus was on the former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach who helped them win IPL 2026: Tom Moody. The Australian kept the same XI as Wasim Jaffer and somewhat differed from McClenaghan and Jaffer by choosing between Arshdeep and Siraj.
Tom Moody stated that before choosing between either of those two, he would first evaluate the opposing team’s batting lineup.
“Would I get to the final, it would be more or less the same. I would just take the final decision whether I pick left-arm pacer or right-arm pacer Mohammad Siraj, depending on how the opponent lines up, batting-wise.” , whether he needs or feels the benefit of a left arm against his alignment against a right arm,” Tom Moody said.
Tom Moody’s India XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh/Mohd. Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah