It’s a happy ending for India Cricket Team in IND vs ENG Test series. But with the red-ball season coming to an end, it’s time to focus on T20 World Cup 2024. India have exactly three months to get a squad ready and aim to end ICC trophy drought in the USA & West Indies. And the route to T20 WC goes through IPL 2024. As the final squad submission date is May 25, IPL will provide India with answers to who is in and who’s out.
“We haven’t had a lot of T20Is to decide on the squad. So, of course, IPL will have a lot of implications for the T20 World Cup squad. Selectors will be keeping a close tab on all the shortlisted players. But the focus will be on a few who are not certain. You never know, IPL always throws new surprises,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
India T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection dilemma
On the face, it seems like India Cricket Team have their squad sorted. It’s anything but. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has created a predicted problem in the squad.
Should both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play together, which is already confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, India will face following squad selection headaches. There is also the question of Ravindra Jadeja.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill?
2. Who is India’s wicketkeeper?
3. Where does Rinku Singh play?
4. Who is India’s third seamer?
5. Who is India’s leg-spinner?
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Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill?
If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had called it a time on T20Is, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill would have been guaranteed starters for India. However, that’s not the case.
Instead, only one of Jaiswal and Gill will get a place in India’s Playing XI. Gill, the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2023, slammed 890 runs for Gujarat Titans. Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 625 runs in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a revelation with 712 runs in the IND vs ENG Test series, he will have to fight for a spot in India’s T20I team. As for Gill, he is another opener in T20Is even though he has settled for No 3 spot in the Test team.
Now, both will compete for a spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 via IPL 2024. Jaiswal has the advantage as he is a left-hander. However, if Gill shows the same form he had in 2023, he can pip Jaiswal.
Who is India’s wicketkeeper?
With the top and middle-order crowded, India need a finisher who can also keep wickets at No 6/7. And only two keeper-batters are in the fray for that. Jitesh Sharma with his power-hitting abilities will be crucial in the lower order while selectors will also keep an eye on Dhruv Jurel after an outstanding debut Test series.
India’s options are: KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant.
However, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are all top-order players. While Sanju has tried his hands at No 4, 5 and 6 earlier, he hasn’t found much success. Hence, he finds himself in a difficult spot.
The fight could be between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel as both could play as designated finishers. There is also the question of Rishabh Pant. If Pant returns fully fit and has a great IPL 2024, he could also join the race. IPL 2024 will provide the answers to India’s wicketkeeping question.
Latest on IPL 2024
The Rinku Singh problem
On any given day, Rinku Singh walks into any Playing XI in T20Is. However, India’s problem of aplenty has created a problem for Rinku Singh. The Kolkata Knight Riders batter bats at No 5 or 6. However, India have a problem with that slot and that is Ravindra Jadeja.
To have Rinku Singh at No 5 or 6, India can only play Ravindra Jadeja at No 8, unlike No 5/6 positions. And to have Rinku in the Playing XI, India need assurance from Hardik Pandya that he can bowl four overs as the third seamer. If India need to go with a specialist third seamer, there will be no space for Rinku Singh.
Predicted India Playing XI
1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Virat Kohli
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Rinku Singh
6. Hardik Pandya (VC)
7. Jitesh Sharma (WK)
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav/ Ravi Bishnoi
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Arshdeep Singh/ Mohammed Siraj
Who is India’s third seamer?
The other selection dilemma is regarding the third seamer option. As the Top 5 of India’s line-up don’t bowl, Team India are heavily reliant on specialists. And to have balance in the squad, Hardik Pandya will have to take up the role of India’s third seamer.
If he can’t bowl a full four-over quota, India might look at someone like Shivam Dube in place of Hardik.
If Hardik bowls a full four-over quota, Arshdeep Singh is likely to be ahead of Mohammed Siraj to partner Jasprit Bumrah in Mohammed Shami’s absence.
Who is India’s leg-spinner?
To put it bluntly, IPL 2024 will answer the question. Ravi Bishnoi despite being the World No 1 leg-spinner a short while ago is not a favourite. Instead, it’s Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner has once again become India’s favourite with outstanding performances in IND vs ENG Test. If Kuldeep compliments that with a great IPL 2024, he will be the leg-spinner and not Ravi Bishnoi.
However, never rule out Yuzvendra Chahal. Closing in on 200 IPL wickets, Chahal can rejoin the race if he replicates his IPL 2022 performance.
Probable India squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya (VC), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Dhruv Jurel/ Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel
