Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh’s selection for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas did not include star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Before the squad selection deadline, Harbhajan selected his 15 players for the World Cup. Apart from Hardik, Harbhajan left out Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer. He did not hesitate in selecting IPL’s latest prodigy, Mayank Yadav, despite the bowler being out of play owing to a workload management issue.

Mayank, who often exceeds 150 kmph, has played only two games and taken six wickets. Harbhajan isn’t the only ex-player to support his pick.

In the batting department, Harbhajan chose Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open, with Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav at numbers three and four.

Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are the two wicketkeepers Harbhajan chose, with Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube still in the running as finishers.

He went all in with seven bowlers, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were Harbhajan’s front-line spinners, while Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, and Arshdeep Singh were the other pacers besides Mayank.

According to reports, the BCCI selectors will meet with head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma later this week to discuss the World Cup selection.

The deadline for squad submissions is May 1. The tournament begins on June 2 in the Americas, with India’s opening game against Ireland on June 5.

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Mayank Yadav.