Indian batting looks sorted ahead of the T20 World Cup but it’s actually the bowling attack that will give selectors a bit of headache.

New Delhi: Former India pacer Irfan Pathan emphasized the need for a gun left-arm pacer and a wrist-spinner in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which kicks off on June 1 in the West Indies and USA, right after the ongoing Indian Premier League. With Mohammed Shami already ruled out with a heel injury, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the attack. A former left-arm pacer himself during his playing days, Pathan was indicating at Arshdeep Singh and Mohsin Khan.

After Pathan himself, and RP Singh, India hadn’t seen a left-arm pacer succeeding at the top level for a long time before Arshdeep came onto the scene in 2022. The Punjab lad has so far taken 62 wickets in his 44 T20Is so far in his two-year-old international career.

With the deadline (May 1) for submitting the final squads to ICC fast approaching, Pathan urged the selectors to have India’s bowling sorted before they take the flight to West Indies and USA. “It will be very interesting as far as Indian fast bowling at the T20 World Cup is concerned,” Pathan replied to India.com's querywhile speaking exclusively on Star Sports Press Room on Monday.

“I want selectors to have an in-form bowling line-up, you will have (Jasprit) Bumrah, probably a left-arm spinner in Jadeja or Axar Patel, a good wrist spinner, who will be wicket-taker in the middle overs. But what I want from the Indian cricket team is, get a gun left-armer who is in form. Even if he is young, take him, which we missed so many years now, especially in the big occasion,” added the 2007 T20 World Cup winner.

Arshdeep, Mohsin In Contention

Statistically, both Arshdeep (9 wickets in 6 games) and Mohsin (5 wickets in 3 games) have been among wickets in this IPL. After BCCI directive that IPL 2024 will the platform for T20 World Cup selection, chances of them getting picked looks like a reality.

“If Arshdeep Singh can bowl like he is doing, he is bowling very well with the new ball and has been bowing good at death as well. Also keep an eye on Mohsin Khan as well. If he stays fit, he gives you that extra bounce. He will give you something extra. You saw what he did in Kolkata on a flat track.

“He troubled the in-form Sunil Narine and some of the other batters as well. Get the bowling sorted before you go,” stated the 39-year-old. Asked about whom he would prefer in terms of wrist spinner, Pathan wanted to take both but that would jeopardize the combination of the squad.

“Ideally you want both of them (Yuzvendra Chahal an d Kuldeep Yadav). But then you might be missing out on one wicketkeeper or one fast bowler,” he added. After the 2007 T20 World Cup, India have never been able to lift the title despite being coming close on three occasions. The Men in Blue finished runners-up in 2014 and exited in semifinals in 2016 and 2022.