Exclusive | T20 World Cup 2024: Indian team has gone ahead of Pakistan in cricket, says Jatin Paranjpe

As the T20 World Cup 2024 has set the stage ablaze cricket fans all around the world are going crazy! Amid the tournament, Mid-Day interviewed former Indian cricketer Jatin Paranjpe, who shared with us insight into India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, how the selection panel works and many more.

The "Men in Blue" began their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on Wednesday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt after scoring a 50 and at halfway stage in second innings. On April 30th, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced their 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 which is jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

Speaking about the squad selection, Jatin Paranjpe said, "The selection job is very complex and Ajit Agarkar and his committee have done a very good job. They have picked a good team. Many people might not know that a team must consist of only 15 players for the ICC events, you can't pick the 16th extra player like it is done for the bilateral series. So it's even more tougher to pick 15 players."

"If you are a selector, then you basically look forward to 2-3 factors. First is performance, but before that, you look at the needs of the team. If whether a team needs an all-rounder or a batsman for the upcoming six months or not and only after then a selector shortlists 4-5 players from domestic cricket", Paranjpe added.

When asked if along with domestic cricket, do selectors consider the performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking on it, former Indian batsman said, "Yes even IPL performances are important but in domestic cricket, there is a league called Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which selectors keep a close watch on. So first is the team's need, the second is the player's performance and the third factor is the situation in which the player has performed."

The Indian squad for the marquee event included the likes of four spinners namely, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal. Speaking on the spin attack of India, Jatin mentioned, "The team has been picked according to the conditions because our first four matches are in the US and later in the West Indies. In the West Indies, the wickets are familiar to India, they are slow and low, so I think Axar Patel's selection is a very very smart selection. He will definitely play in the team, especially in the West Indies' leg."

In a recent press conference when asked to Rohit and Agarkar about the absence of an off-spinner in the team, the Indian skipper raised his hand. "You need to take Rohit in a tongue and cheeks manner at times because he's just pulling your leg. I don't know if he is actually practising in the nets, but he is actually a good off-spinner. Let's not forget, he has a hat trick in the IPL during his stint with Deccan Chargers," he said.

Following Hardik Pandya's poor form in the IPL 2024, "He is an indispensable member in this team because he gives you a cushion to bat at number five. He also becomes the sixth bowler in the team as none of our top-order batsmen can bowl. If you look at the 2011 team, Sachin, Viru, Yuvi and Raina could bowl, but now we struggle for those options and hence we need Hardik in the team. He is a big match's player", Paranjpe told Mid-Day.

"There is no doubt about his cricket at all. He is a match winner. Ups and downs are a part of cricket career. He didn't have a good IPL season this year, but not being the Indian cricket team captain in the World Cup is going to work as an advantage for him. There are multiple meetings and responsibilities as the captain of the ship so not being the captain will help him focus on his game. He will do well," he added.

Also, Rinku Singh failed to secure his spot in the main squad. Following the matter, he said, "It's very unfortunate for him. But after this World Cup, a transition phase will come up, when Rinku, Ruturaj and Tilak Varma will make it to the team and you will see many young boys in India's T20 team."

Speaking about KL Rahul's snub from the World Cup squad, Jatin said, "Let's keep Rishabh aside because for me he is a big player. If we compare KL and Sanju Samson, then Samson has a good strike rate in the previous 2-3 years than KL. In T20, seventh to eleventh over is a crucial phase, where Sanju is a suitable player and not KL Rahul."

India is placed in Group A along with Canada, Ireland, Pakistan and the USA. On this when asked how easy would it be for India to reach the Super 8, Jatin said, "Looking at the format, India should easily reach the semi-finals."

One of the greatest rivalries in cricket, India vs Pakistan is set to be played on June 9. When asked according to Pakistan's current team, do you think it would turn out to an another high-voltage match? "No! I don't think so. I am not a big fan of Babar as a captain, he is a big player. This Indian team has gone ahead of Pakistan in terms of cricket. But the return of Mohammed Amir would be interesting. The likes of Afridi, Haris, Naseem and Amir can possibly be the reason to heat up the clash. It's a big match and we are in for a treat."

When asked about the promising teams in the ongoing World Cup, "I think West Indies is a very dangerous team having the home advantage other than that, India, England."

India-Pakistan, India-West Indies and India-England are the big matches, feels Jatin Paranjpe. Coming to the Australian side, Jatin feels the Aussies don't have the bowling lineup for West Indies like, England and India have.

Rapid Fire:
Top 3 dark horses: South Africa, Netherlands and Bangladesh

India's biggest rival: West Indies

Biggest advantage for Team India: Virat Kohli

Biggest challenge for Team India: Shouldn't let West Indies make 220 or 230

Your favourite player from Team India: Yashasvi Jaiswal

A player you think should have been included in the team: Rinku Singh