Decoding India's likely squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024
As per a PTI report, there will be no new names in India's squad for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be played in June in West Indies and America. The BCCI selectors have reportedly shortlisted 20 players, of which 15 will make it to India's official squad for the mega tournament. Here are further details.
Here is what the source said
"There would not be any experimentation or left-field selections. All those who have played for India and have done well consistently in T20 Internationals and the IPL will be rewarded," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Notably, all boards must announce their squads for the competition by May 1.
Three of these four players will get the nod
It has been learned that one among Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal might miss out. However, if both are selected, then only one among the two finishers - Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube - will get the nod. Although Jaiswal has endured a lean patch in the ongoing 2024 Indian Premier League, he is the only left-handed top-order batter in the shortlisted squad.
A look at the certain selections
Skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav are certain to be in the squad if fit. Although Pandya's bowling fitness has been a concern, it won't hamper his selection. Meanwhile, Pant, the team's first-choice wicket-keeper, would play his first international game in over 15 months.
No Ishan Kishan in the shortlisted 20
Ishan Kishan has not made it to the list despite some brilliant performances in the ongoing IPL season. Hence, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson will fight for the second wicket-keeper's slot. Samson seems a bit ahead in this race as he has been among the runs in IPL 2024 and has greater experience of batting in the middle order than Rahul in T20s.
Who would be the other specialist spinner?
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are the spinners among the certainly-selected players. Hence, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi might be in a three-way race for the other spinner in the squad. While Chahal has been among the wickets in IPL 2024, Axar can contain runs besides contributing with the bat. Bishnoi is a bit behind in this race.
What about the pacers?
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the certainly-selected players. Siraj, who has endured a poor run in IPL 2024, is reportedly being rested by the RCB management. There will be a toss-up between Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan for the other pacer. Though both pacers have fared well in the ongoing IPL, Arshdeep's left-arm pace adds a different dimension to the bowling attack.
These players miss out
Uncapped LSG pacer Mayank Yadav, who has often clocked over 150 KPH this season, has not been considered. Veteran RCB keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has also been ignored despite acing the finisher's role in recent matches. Mohammed Shami, who is missing IPL 2024 due to fitness issues, will not feature in the mega tournament as well.
India's probable squad for 2024 T20 WC
Specialist Batters (6): Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh. All-Rounders (4): Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. Specialist Spinners (3): Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi. Wicketkeeper-batter (3): Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul,and Sanju Samson. Pacers (4): Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan.
