T20 World Cup: Hardik named India's vice-captain; Dube, Samson included
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced Team India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and the USA, starting June 1. All-rounder Shivam Dube and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson have been included in the 15-member side led by Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya, who has been under the scanner of late, has been named India's vice-captain.
India's full squad for T20 WC
India have a solid batting line-up
Jaiswal, who has emerged as India's mainstay opener in Test cricket, will open the innings alongside skipper Rohit. Kohli is expected to take the number-three slot, with Suryakumar Yadav being a certainty in the middle order. Pant will likely be India's first-choice wicket-keeper, while Samson's current form finds him a spot. Hardik and Jadeja will be the sure-shot middle-order batters.
Pant returns as wicketkeeper-batter
As mentioned, Pant returns to international cricket as India's first-choice wicket-keeper after over a year. He recently made a comeback in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) after recovering from multiple injuries in a fatal car crash. The southpaw has been leading Delhi Capitals full throttle. Pant has had a terrific IPL season with the bat so far, having smacked 398 runs at 44.22.
India's star-studded bowling attack
Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Siraj are India's frontline bowlers for the impending T20 World Cup. Although Siraj has been quite expensive in the ongoing IPL season, his experience and credentials were enough to convince the selectors. While wrist-spinner Kuldeep leads India's spin attack, Chahal finally returns to the squad. Meanwhile, Axar joins Jadeja in the spin-bowling all-rounder department. Hardik will chip in with his medium-pace.
These names miss out
Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan are not part of India's 15-man squad. They are rather in the reserves. Dinesh Karthik has been ignored despite acing the finisher's role. Mohammed Shami, who is missing IPL 2024 due to fitness issues, won't feature in the mega tournament. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer are the other big names to miss out.
Key details about 2024 T20 WC
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be held in the Caribbean and the USA, starting June 1. India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. Notably, India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York. They will take on arch-rivals Pakistan four days later at the same venue.
A look at other key takeaways
It was believed that Pant will reclaim India's T20I vice-captaincy. However, the BCCI continues to pin their hopes on Hardik, who has been under the cosh in IPL 2024. The latter has received flak for his batting form and decisions as Mumbai Indians skipper. Besides, Rinku misses out despite averaging 89.00 in T20I cricket. Dube and Samson have been rewarded for the IPL runs.
