A World Cup might have ended in a heartbreak but India Cricket Team will be in another in just five months. As fans begin the countdown for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, not IND vs AFG T20 series but IPL 2024 will be the real trial. Former chairman of BCCI selection committee MSK Prasad claims that barring a few players, IPL 2024 will be crucial for all who are on the edges.
India Cricket Team only have three bilateral T20Is. But most of them will get 14 matches minimum in IPL 2024 to justify to impress the selectors. With May 25 being the deadline for submitting the squad for T20 World Cup 2024, selectors will have the whole of IPL to zero down on the squad. India begin T20 WC campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.
“8-10 players will be certainties. We have to see whether we need someone like Arshdeep Singh. I think that we don’t need more than three seamers. Bumrah-Shami-Siraj are certainties in T20 World Cup. So, are we going to go with an all-rounder or go with Arshdeep Singh who is our death overs specialist? All these will come into the picture in IPL. IPL 2024 will be very crucial for the players who are on the edges,” MSK Prasad said on the Star Sports show.
Who are automatic choices for T20 World Cup 2024?
While IPL 2024 will be a selection criteria for many players, MSK Prasad believes the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah do not need any trials.
“IPL will be a selection trial for sure but for few players. Virat, Rohit, Shami, Bumrah, Siraj and Jadeja will be automatic choices. But for Hardik, fitness is a cause of concern. Still, there are also a few places up for grabs I think. Shreyas Iyer or Sanju Samson will be the ones to watch out for. Now, if KL Rahul is going to keep wickets, who is your second wicketkeeper? What if Rishabh Pant is not fit? He is still not ready. Whether Ishan Kishan will be ready or if you are going to pick him, which order is it (batting order)?” MSK Prasad said.
Keep ringing the bell: MSK Prasad
The former chief selector also advised the players who are not assured of a place in the squad to keep performing. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma likely to return, selectors can only pick either Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal. Also, in the pace department, someone like Arshdeep Singh might miss out if Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami play together. Sanju Samson will also be the one to watch out for in IPL 2024.
“I don’t think we need anyone at the top of the order. We need someone in the middle order. So, if Sanju also throws his hat into the ring, all these things will come into the picture. The form of someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal or even Shubman Gill will also have to be looked at. Few players will be picked based on the form they exhibit in IPL. It’s important that they keep ringing the bell so that selectors have a healthy headache,” MSK Prasad said.
