For all the talk about the BCCI picking the India cricket team’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad based on international performances, we’ve seen players make the cut solely based on their IPL 2024 performances. Out of nowhere, players like Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi have found themselves out of favor.
IPL 2024 form more important than international success?
Rinku, who had proven himself as India’s best finisher after consistent performances in both international cricket and the last couple of IPL seasons, hasn’t been included in the 15-man squad due to his poor returns in the 2024 season. Instead, Shivam Dube has made the cut after scoring 350 runs while striking at over 170.
Bishnoi, who was the No. 1 T20I bowler not too long ago, isn’t even in the 19-man squad. Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been in and out of the Indian cricket team, gets a nod ahead of him despite last playing an T20I in August last year. The reason behind it is his excellent IPL 2024 performance.
The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner is the joint second-highest wicket taker (13) so far and has bowled well in the middle over and the death. Bishnoi, in contrast, has just 5 wickets in the same number of matches (9).
Latest on T20 WC
Jitesh Sharma who?
Rishabh Pant’s inclusion and Jitesh Sharma’s exclusion are equally shocking. Although Jitesh doesn’t have stellar performances to back him up, one has to remember that Pant has been out of action since December 2022. But Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI selection committee have decided to roll the dice on the Delhi Capitals skipper.
No doubt, Pant has done well so far. But is it fair to chuck away a player who was your preferred lower-order hitter and wicketkeeper until three months ago? After watching Pant play 11 matches in the IPL 2024, he’s been selected, while Jitesh, who had played incredibly impactful innings for India in his short career, isn’t mentioned anywhere.
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.
