T20 World Cup 2024, India's squad: Players who missed out
The BCCI, on April 30, named Team India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and the USA. While several players have been rewarded for the current IPL form, Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed are in the traveling reserves. Quite a few other big-ticket players didn't find a spot in the 15-member squad.
Rinku misses out despite averaging 89
Rinku has emerged as India's mainstay middle-order T20I batter. He proved his mettle in the South Africa (away) and Afghanistan (home) series. In 11 T20I innings, the dashing left-hander has returned unbeaten seven times, a testament to his finishing abilities. Rinku averages 89 and has a strike rate of 176.23 in T20Is. However, he has managed just 123 runs in nine IPL 2024 matches.
Shubman Gill: Another reserve player
Shubman Gill, who was on song during IPL 2023, will accompany Rinku as a reserve player. Gill, a proven opener across formats, didn't make the 15-man squad with the presence of Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. The latter has been opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. Moreover, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav leave no room for Gill to enter the XI.
India will miss the dependable KL Rahul
KL Rahul is another star wicketkeeper-batter who couldn't make it to the squad. Rahul, who currently leads Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, has smashed 378 runs from nine games in IPL 2024 as of now. Although Rahul's T20I strike rate often gets red-marked, his propensity to operate as a floater stands out. However, the BCCI preferred Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson over him.
Dinesh Karthik fails to impress selectors
Dinesh Karthik has finally fallen out of favor with the selectors. Karthik, who has been faring well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru lately, has re-invented himself as a potent finisher in T20 cricket. He currently has a strike rate of 195.52 in IPL 2024. Karthik, who featured for India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, has perhaps missed his final opportunity to do the same.
Other big names who couldn't fit in
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. Ahead of the IPL, their annual contracts were terminated as they didn't feature in domestic cricket. Furthermore, the likes of Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ravi Bishnoi have not made the cut.
