Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara picked Rohit Sharma-led India as favourites to win the T20 World Cup. India announced the squad for the T20 World Cup on Monday. The squad received mixed reviews as questions were raised on certain inclusions and omissions. One of the notable names missing out on the squad was Rinku Singh, who did remarkably well for India in the T20I format. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube were rewarded with a place in the squad for a stunning performance in IPL 2024. Yuzvendra Chahal also made a return to team India after doing splendidly well for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.

However, questions were raised on India's pace attack as Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh were the two specialist pacers named along with Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya was also picked in the T20 World Cup squad despite concerns about his current form. Sangakkara said that India's squad looks balanced, with a great mix of quality batters, spinners, and all-rounders.

“It's an extremely strong squad. They've got their batting covered, they've got their all-rounders in. They've got very high-quality spin and they've got very good combinations that they can play,” said Sangakkara ahead of the SRH vs RR match on Thursday, as quoted by TOI.

On India picking just three pacers in the squad, Sangakkara said that coach Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma have a clear idea of the conditions and what kind of a squad will be best suited for the gala event, adding that India can play two or three different combinations. Ever since the squad has been announced, certain fans and experts have raised doubts about the team's credibility to win the T20 World Cup 2024.

“Knowing the conditions there, I'm sure Rahul (Dravid) and Rohit (Sharma) have a good idea of what the squad should be to play the cricket they want in the World Cup. And they'll be having two or three different combinations, depending on whether they want a deeper batting line-up or more strength in their bowling. But it's a really well-balanced, a very strong squad, and India's always been very strong in international tournaments," he added.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan