"They should've moved on after the previous World Cup itself" - Robin Uthappa opposes inclusion of senior players in Indian 2024 T20 World Cup squad
Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa feels the 2024 T20 World Cup squad should have moved on from selecting senior players and picked youngsters like Shubman Gill in the first 15. After the semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup, senior members like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not play in the shortest format for India last year before their return for the Afghanistan series earlier this year. Ravindra Jadeja also played only two T20Is in 2023.
However, they were picked in the 15-member squad, resulting in youngsters like Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill being left off the main roster and included only as traveling reserves.
Speaking on JioCinema during the pre-show of the eventually washed-out SRH-GT outing of IPL 2024, Uthappa feels the seniors should have stepped aside for the Mega Event to provide an opportunity for the youngsters.
"I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this, but I'll take it. I think they should've moved on after the previous World Cup itself. I think the youngsters should've played in this World Cup. The senior players have had their go, and these guys are showing true potential. The fact that they've been performing in IPL consistently... a lot of these guys who are performing now, the likes of Shubman Gill should be there," said Uthappa.
Team India have struggled in T20 World Cups since their triumph in 2008, reaching the final only once in the next 7 editions.
Rohit Sharma will lead the side for the upcoming event to be played in the West Indies and U.S.A.
"Gill should be part of any World Cup right now" - Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa further doubled down on his statement by pointing to Shubman Gill and how he should have been included in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.
The 24-year-old has been setting white-ball cricket on fire with the bat over the past year and a half, especially in ODIs. Gill was part of the Indian squad that reached the final of the 50-over World Cup last year.
"He (Gill) should be part of any World Cup right now. The potential, the ability, the hunger he has got in his own game and what he wants to achieve is tremendous. The opportunity for all of that should be present. They should get the opportunity at the highest stage, like the World Cup," said Uthappa.
Gill has enjoyed another solid IPL season, scoring 426 runs at an average of almost 39 and a strike rate of 147.40 in 12 games.
Meanwhile, Team India will begin their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.