Srikkanth feels India unlikely to win T20 World Cup with current squad

Dubai: Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has expressed skepticism over India's chances at the upcoming T20 World Cup, despite believing that the current squad could retain the Asia Cup title in the UAE.

“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there’s no chance we’re winning the T20 World Cup with this group,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “Is this really the team you’re preparing for a World Cup that’s just six months away?”

India’s Asia Cup squad raised eyebrows with the omission of several key players, most notably the in-form Shreyas Iyer. “Going by current form, Shreyas Iyer is an automatic pick,” Srikkanth said. “You have to evaluate players based on recent performances, not what they did a year ago. He scored 600 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 175 — and in T20s, strike rate is critical.”

“He’s been outstanding, and yet he’s been dropped. That sends the wrong message. When someone says, ‘Who will he replace in the squad?’ — that’s a ridiculous argument. I completely disagree with Agarkar’s reasoning. It makes no sense.”

Srikkanth also criticised the selection committee’s decisions, pointing to inconsistencies and lack of clarity. “They’ve taken a step backward. Axar Patel has been removed from the vice-captaincy, and players like Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana have been picked. If the IPL is the main selection yardstick, then what are these choices based on? Performances before the IPL?”

He also questioned the balance of the batting order. “Who’s going to bat at No. 5? Is it going to be Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, or Rinku Singh? Traditionally, that’s where Hardik Pandya bats. If he’s at five, Axar Patel can’t slot in at six. And why has Dube been picked? What exactly is Yashasvi Jaiswal’s role, when he’s done well both in the IPL and for India?”