T20 World Cup 2024: Irfan Pathan Concerned About 2 Areas Before India Announce Squad For Show-Piece Tournament

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns about two key areas before Team India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and the Caribbean is announced.

The Indian T20 World Cup squad is likely to be announced soon with the ICC deadline date of May 1st fast approaching. Reports suggest at least ten players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, are guaranteed a spot with five other spots to be finalized soon.

Several former cricketers-turned experts, including Irfan Pathan, have named their probable 15-member party to get on the plane to USA and West Indies in June. Many experts picks has a stacked top order, which addresses the powerplay and middle overs.

But Pathan feels the finishers slot could be a worry heading into the ICC tournament as he adds the current option in Ravindra Jadeja has not got great numbers especially in terms of strike rate batting at number seven.

"This is what I'm really scared about when it comes to the World Cup. Look, my worry is with the T20 World Cup, we are pretty much sorted as far as the top-order batting is concerned. We are pretty much sorted in the middle-overs as well," Pathan said on Star Sports Press Room Show, Ticket to World Cup.

"If we're thinking Ravindra Jadeja is a number seven batter, you need a good finisher. His numbers are not that great as far as the strike-rate is concerned at the international level. So, there is a worry for me there and the fast bowling."

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to be paired with possibly Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, Pathan also opined on problems around the team's pace bowling unit.

"Apart from Bumrah, if I look at the guys playing in IPL, played before the IPL in the South Africa series, their numbers are not that great - be that it's Arshdeep, be that it's Mohammed Siraj, you know, the guys who played last.

"So these two departments, it really makes me worry. These are the departments that are going to be very, very crucial," Pathan concluded on the areas of concern for Team India.