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‘I would have drafted in Umran Malik and Shubman Gill’ – Dilip Vengsarkar shares his thoughts on 20-20 World Cup squad

The express pace of Umran Malik and the sizzling batting form of Shubman Gill has impressed Dilip Vengsarkar, and the former captain and chief selector believes the duo should have been part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. He also expressed his disappointment that the selection committee couldn’t find a spot for ace of pace Mohammed Shami for the ICC event in Australia.

“I would have picked Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik and Shubman Gill for the T20 World Cup. Would have given them a long run in T20Is because they all had a brilliant Indian T20 League season,” Vengsarkar told The Indian Express.

While Gill and Mohammed Shami played pivotal roles in the Indian T20 League for the Gujarat side and helped them win the Indian T20 League title in 2022, Umran Malik just showed what he was capable of under the tutelage of Dale Steyn. He produced match winning performances for the Hyderabad side in the 2022 edition of the Indian T20 League. Even after this Shami was snubbed for the Asia Cup 2022.

“I think the express pace of Shami is missing. If you see Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, they are not express. The only bowler who has got that extra pace is Jasprit Bumrah,” the former India wicketkeeper told The Indian Express.

He also commented on Suryakumar Yadav’s role in the Indian side, and backed him to deliver the goods as a finisher.

“I can’t really comment on who bats at what number. It is up to the think tank, the coach, the captain and the vice-captain. But I feel Suryakumar Yadav, who is batting at 4, can bat at 5 as well. He can be a great finisher,” said Vengsarkar.

He also shed light on how Ravindra Jadeja as an X factor will be a big blow for India.

“It is a massive blow for India. He is an integral part of this Indian team. Especially his batting in the finisher’s role has become crucial for India. He can bat anywhere in the middle order, wherever the team requires him. His injury is a big jolt to the team management,” Prasad, who headed the selection panel that picked the 2019 ODI World Cup squad, said.