Cricket Australia Announces Surprising T20 World Cup XI for 2024

Cricket Australia has unveiled their combined XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the lineup includes some unexpected choices. Notably, Rohit Sharma is part of the team but not as the captain. Additionally, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav did not make the cut. The only Indian players in the lineup are Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah.

As anticipated, Rohit Sharma is positioned at the top of the batting order, opening alongside Travis Head, who recently achieved the No.1 T20I batter ranking. Instead of Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran has been selected as the No.3 batter and the wicketkeeper. Aaron Jones, a standout performer for the USA in the World Cup, is slotted at No.4. Jones accumulated 162 runs in 6 matches, with his highest score being 94 in the opening game, making it the second-highest score in the tournament so far.

In the final match between India and South Africa, predictions are rife.

Marcus Stoinis and Hardik Pandya are the primary all-rounders, batting at No.5 and No.6 respectively. Hardik had a remarkable tournament, scoring 139 runs and taking 8 wickets in 7 matches. Rashid Khan, chosen as the captain by Cricket Australia, is the team’s leading spinner.

Rashid Khan played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s impressive T20 World Cup campaign, which saw them defeating Australia and New Zealand to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Rashid took 14 wickets in the tournament. The second spinner in the team is Rishad Hossain, who outperformed Kuldeep Yadav. Rishad took 14 wickets, while Kuldeep managed 10 wickets in just 4 matches.

The pace attack is spearheaded by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed 17 wickets during the tournament, and India’s Jasprit Bumrah. Anrich Nortje completes the team, leaving no room for Arshdeep Singh, who is the second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets.

Cricket Australia’s T20 World Cup XI:

Rohit Sharma, Travis Head, Nicholas Pooran, Aaron Jones, Marcus Stoinis, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan (C), Rishad Hossain, Anrich Nortje, Jasprit Bumrah, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.