New Delhi, May 31: As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to kick-off from June 2 (IST) in the West Indies and USA, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed confidence that the Men in Blue will “give their hearts and souls” to lift the coveted trophy. Pathan was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural edition of the showpiece event in 2007, beating Pakistan in the thrilling final.
The Rohit Sharma-led side will begin its campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
“Cricket is all about unmatched energy, thrilling moments, and undying passion. With the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2024, fans across the country are excited for big sixes, amazing catches, and non-stop cricketing action. Be it a friendly game of gully cricket or a tournament at the world level, the fans’ love for cricket is what makes the sport so appealing,” Pathan said on Disney+ Hotstar.
“I am thrilled that Disney+ Hotstar is making the tournament available to watch free on mobile, making it even more accessible. We have a brilliant team playing for us and I am confident that they’ll give their hearts and souls as we cheer for them.”The ninth edition of the mega event, featuring 20 teams competing across 55 games, will begin with the clash between between USA and Canada on June 2 at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, USA.
The 2024 T20 World Cup matches will be streaming free on Disney+ Hotstar.
Former India cricketer Rahul Sharma wants Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh to lead the Indian bowling attack in the upcoming T2O World Cup in the USA and West Indies with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department.
The Indian squad includes four spinners (Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel) and three pacers with two all-rounders. Chahal is making his comeback in the Indian team after July 2023 and was in red-hot form in the IPL 2024. With slow and turning drop-in pitches in the USA, Sharma thought that Jadeja along with Kuldeep would be a much better option than Axar and Chahal.
“We don’t know how the pitches in the USA will behave but as far I know the conditions there and some of the reports that are coming I will field Kuldeep Yadav along with experienced Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department and will want Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh to lead the Indian bowling attack,” Rahul Sharma told IANS at the inaugural event of Team India Champions.
“With four bowling options, and Hardik Pandya or Shivam Dube as all-rounder and fifth bowling option the Indian squad will look balanced and it will be easy for skipper Rohit Sharma to use the bowlers,” he added.
When asked about who he would like to see as the finisher role for the Indian team, Rahul Sharma said, “Seeing the way Shivam Dube has batted in this edition of IPL, especially against spinners it was amazing to see and also, he can be used as a bowler too. He dominated against spinners, batted sensibly against pacers, and didn’t look in any trouble. “So, for me, he must be given the responsibility of finishing the matches. And also we have Rishabh Pant in the middle, who has the ability to change the match from any point,” he concluded. (IANS)
