Having won three ICC World Cups during his illustrious career that spans 18 years, when Yuvraj Singh talks about cricket, it could be futile to ignore. Speaking at one ICC event recently, the swashbuckling batsman talked about how the Indian team should line up at the T20 World Cup 2024 that kicks off in the US and West Indies on June 2.
The ambassador of the upcoming T20 World Cup, Yuvraj pick his eleven starting with the top order. He opines that captain Rohit Sharma should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal. “I think Rohit (Sharma) and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal should open,” Yuvraj was quoted by ICC.
Next is Virat Kohli at No. 3 to be followed by Surya Yadav. “Virat (Kohli) has been batting at No.3 and that’s his position. And then you get Surya (Yadav) at four, and then you got a couple of big options,” added Yuvraj, who had hit six sixes in an over against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. 
Yuvraj, a left-handed middle-order batsman, likes to mix left-handed and right-handed players throughout the batting lineup. “I’d like to see a couple of left-hand, right-hand combinations because it is harder to bowl at two combinations all the time.”
For the wicketkeeper role, Yuvraj prefers Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for one main reason. “I’d probably go for Rishabh,” Yuvraj said. “Sanju is also in great form, but Rishabh (is a) left-hander, and I believe that Rishabh has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past.
Next in order is Hardik Pandya, even though he didn’t perform well in the IPL this season. “Because if you look at the IPL form, Hardik’s not done well. Looking at his background for India, what he’s done for India, it is important that he’s in the squad.
While his bowling has improved, his batting is still a letdown. However, Yuvraj is hopeful that the all-rounder will make a significant impact in the upcoming World Cup. “I think his bowling is going to be important, and his fitness is going to be important. And I think he might do something really special in this World Cup.”
At No. 7 in the batting lineup, Yuvraj wants Shivam Dubey who performed well for India in the last T20 he was part of and had been very consistent throughout the IPL. “I just felt the kind of form he’s in, it was important for him to be in the squad. I think he can make a huge difference in the middle order or the lower middle order, so it’s good to see him in the Indian T20 squad.”
Among the bowlers, Yuvraj is banking on Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. “It looks like a really strong side but we have to prove it,” concluded Yuvraj.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign starts on June 5 against Ireland. The newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York will host the big India vs. Pakistan match on June 9.
Yuvraj XI:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Surya Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh
