The T20 showpiece will be played in Australia in October-November.
Fit-again pacer Jasprit Bumrah and death over specialist Harshal are back as the national selection committee did not add any surprises to India’s squad.
Speaking on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’ after the team announcement, the former chairman of the selection committee said, “If I were the chairman of the selection committee, Shami would definitely be in the team.
“We’re playing in Australia, that guy’s got real action, that guy’s got bounce, he can be bare in the moment and he can take quick wickets, so I probably would have got Shami instead of Harshal Patel. ”
A scintillating opener during his playing days, Srikkanth said, “Yes, Harshal Patel is a good bowler, no doubt about it, but Mohammed Shami is the right man.
“I mean they can’t say the scheme of things, that is only for Test cricket or one-day cricket but we are playing in Australia. That guy has done well in the last IPL, so Shami is a must in my team. ”
India will play its first match against Pakistan on 23 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Bumrah, who was suffering from a back injury and Harshal, who had a side strain, underwent an intensive rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy and the BCCI medical team has deemed them fit for the marquee tournament.
The two players who missed out on a place in the World Cup were pacer Avesh Khan and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who was overtaken by senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.