Hardik Pandya is missing from Sehwag's World Cup XI

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has picked his preferred XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup. There's been much speculation among former Indian players about how the Indian team will shape up. Notably, Hardik Pandya's name is absent from Sehwag's XI. His current form as the captain of the Mumbai Indians has been considered a possible reason for this exclusion.

During a conversation on a podcast, Sehwag formed his own Indian XI, which might surprise some due to the inclusion of fewer-known names.

This former opener has included Sandeep Sharma in the bowling unit. It's uncertain who will be considered for the Indian squad, leaving room for speculation. Neither Arshdeep Singh nor Mukesh Kumar has been selected by Sehwag.

He has chosen between Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, leaving one of them out. Dube has been in fantastic form for the Chennai Super Kings this IPL season, even scoring 66 runs off 27 balls in a recent match. Sehwag has shown more confidence in Dube or Rinku than in Hardik for batting in the middle order.

Former cricketer Sehwag has favored Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batsman. As the captain of the Delhi Capitals, Pant has already proven himself, returning from a significant injury. Pant's inclusion in the XI is highly anticipated.

Apart from Sandeep's pace bowling, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have also been included in the XI. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are trusted in spin by Sehwag. Axar Patel or Yuzvendra Chahal didn't find a place in the squad.

It's expected that India will announce the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup by April 28th.

Sehwag's Indian XI:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Sandeep Sharma.