Cricket Australia picks T20 World Cup XI, Rohit Sharma misses out as skipper

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Sourcee: Disney+Hotstar)

Cricket Australia (CA) has released a combined XI for the T20 World Cup 2024, and the lineup has had several surprises. With ace India batter Rohit Sharma in the lineup, he has not been named the skipper. Star India bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Singh have failed to make it to Cricket Australia’s XI.

The only Indians present in the lineup are Rohit, Hardik, and Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit opens the innings alongside Travis Head. Instead of Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran was given the mantle as the No. 3 batter and the wicketkeeper as well.

The USA’s Aaron Jones was given the number four spot in the lineup. The star batter scored 162 runs in six matches and deserved his place in the squad. As for the all-rounders, Marcus Stoinis and Hardik Pandya are filling the role in the side.

Rashid Khan has been elected as the main spinner in the side and the skipper as well. Many would agree with the decision, as Rashid Khan led Afghanistan to their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final. Being drawn in the same group as India and Australia in the Super Eight, Afghanistan managed to topple Australia and Bangladesh and eliminate both sides to make it to the tournament’s knockout stages. Rishad Hossain was the second spinner in the lineup. Rishad had 14 wickets as compared to Kuldeep’s 10, but the India spinner played just 4 matches.

Furthermore, the bowling lineup continued with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jasprit Bumrah, and Anrich Nortje. The lineup saw Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav miss out on it. It is worth noting that Arshdeep has been the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 15 wickets to his name.

Cricket Australia’s T20 World Cup XI:

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