“India need to combine experience and youth for T20 World Cup 2024”, says Irfan Pathan.

Following a disheartening defeat in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, the Indian team management has initiated preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024, aiming to break India’s decade-long ICC Trophy drought. In an effort to infuse fresh talent, selectors are contemplating providing opportunities to young players, leading to a consensus among experts that the team should venture into the tournament without relying on stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Contrary to this viewpoint, former Indian all-rounder and a key player in the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, Irfan Pathan, advocates for a balanced approach. Pathan believes that India should strike a harmonious blend of experience and youth in their T20 World Cup squad. Drawing parallels with the successful 2007 campaign, Pathan pointed out that the team then boasted a mix of seasoned players such as Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Yuvraj Singh, alongside emerging talents. According to him, this combination played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup.

Irfan Pathan said “I feel Indian team should combine experience and youth. When we won the last T20 World Cup, in 2007, many said it was a young and inexperienced team that won the title, but that wasn’t it. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had been playing for a while then. Me and Dhoni were also part of team for almost four years. There was also Ajit Agarkar, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh as well. So you have to combine experience with youth especially for those conditions where batting gets a bit tricky.”