With the first half of the IPL 2024 over, we get an idea of who might make it into India’s T20 World Cup squad. Players like Rishabh Pant have already sealed their places alongside veterans Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. The growing number of left-handed batsmen is a striking feature of the probable team. From Rishabh Pant to Shivam Dube alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and veteran Ravindra Jadeja, let us look at how this can be beneficial for the team as they look to end 11 years of trophy drought.
Dominance of left-handed batsman in T2O World Cup Squad
After a sluggish start to IPL 2024, Yashasvi Jaiswal made an impact with an unbeaten 104 against Mumbai Indians. The left-handed opener’s resurgence has all but ensured his place in the T20 World Cup squad. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has been crushing it with 254 runs in eight games at a strike rate of over 150. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter can change the game in an instant and has already made the cut.
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India’s southpaw-heavy middle to lower order
Rinku Singh with his stellar finishing abilities, hasn’t had much time at the crease in IPL 2024. Yet his strike rate of 159.70 demonstrates his capacity to turn games around quickly. Despite limited opportunities, he has managed to secure two fifties and maintains a high strike rate in T20Is, making the southpaw yet another valuable addition to the squad.
Ravindra Jadeja, the experienced left-handed all-rounder, hasn’t had the best IPL season so far. But he’s a proven performer in T20Is. With almost 500 runs and 53 wickets in the format, he’s always a strong option. And then there’s Shivam Dube, who’s had a fantastic IPL 2024 season with the Chennai Super Kings, racking up 311 runs with a strike rate of nearly 170. The southpaw has got the talent and the numbers to back up a spot in the World Cup squad.
How it can benefit India in T20 World Cup?
The inclusion of more left-handed batsmen in India’s T20 World Cup squad offers several advantages. Adding more of them to the playing XI can really mess with bowlers. It changes the angles, forces them to adjust, and can create more scoring chances because of how the field has to be set up. Plus, having a mix of left- and right-handed batsmen keeps the batting order flexible, which can be a big advantage.
