There are only 47 days left for the T20 World Cup 2024. To narrow it down to selection day, the BCCI Selection Committee has only about a month. The IPL 2024 is in full swing to give us a clue to how should the India Cricket Team look for the USA & West Indies edition of T20 WC. But there is still a lack of clarity on 7 slots. To make it clear, despite all the buzz around strike rate, Virat Kohli is an integral part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. But there are still spots available for debate.
A senior BCCI official InsideSport spoke to said the squad will be picked by the first week of May. However, IPL 2024 won’t have the last say on all available players.
“Look, IPL is only one of the criteria to decide selection. You have to factor in their last few months. The conditions in the USA and West Indies, how they have done in different segments of the game and so on. Ajit (Agarkar) is travelling to most of the venues along with other selectors and the squad will be selected from the shortlisted players,” the BCCI official told InsideSport.
India squad for T20 World Cup: Where do they stand?
| Certain | Still in doubt | Outside chance |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Mohd Siraj | Mayank Yadav |
| Virat Kohli | Axar Patel | Jitesh Sharma |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Yuzvendra Chahal | Tilak Varma |
| Hardik Pandya | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Mohit Sharma |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Shubman Gill | KL Rahul |
| Rinku Singh | Shivam Dube | |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Sanju Samson | |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Ravi Bishnoi | |
| Rishabh Pant | Arshdeep Singh |
Certain players
There is no doubt that Virat Kohli always divides opinions. Even though he is the leader of IPL 2024 Orange Cap, his strike rate in the middle overs has already created a debate. Yet, he continues to be the best bet on any surface. Hence, without a doubt, Virat Kohli will be in the squad for T20 World Cup.
With Rohit Sharma already declared the captain, he will be among the first names apart from Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are automatic choices. Rinku Singh and Kuldeep Yadav are also in based on their recent performances.
However, the good news is that Rishabh Pant is also very likely for the big-ticket event. Having recovered from the injuries he suffered due to the near-fatal car crash, he is back in form in IPL.
IPL 2024 latest
Still in doubt
With Mohammad Shami out of the T20 World Cup, Mohammed Siraj was supposed to be the second-in-command to Jasprit Bumrah. However, with 4 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 10.11, Siraj hasn’t done himself any favours in IPL 2024. But with still time, if he improves, he should make it.
There is also going to be a tussle between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Neither of the batters has been in the form they were in IPL 2023. However, Shubman Gill has bounced back with scores of 89 and 72. But Yashasvi Jaiswal has only scored 63 runs in the 5 matches.
Axar Patel too hasn’t had a great campaign with either ball or bat. Both Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh have ebbed and flowed.
But the good news is around Sanju Samson, who could be India’s second wicketkeeper apart from Yuzvendra Chahal. The leg-spinner is the leader of IPL 2024 Purple Cap with 10 wickets in 5 matches. He has also maintained an economy rate of 7.33 to make himself a valuable player. As for his Rajasthan Royals teammate Sanju Samson, he is currently 4th on the list of Orange Cap with 246 runs at a 157.69 strike rate. Both could make it to India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“Chahal and Samson are never out in T20 cricket. Everyone knows their value in this format. Selectors are definitely keeping a close tab on them. Most of the time, they have lost out to another player based on conditions and recent performances,” the BCCI official said.
Outside chance
An exciting talent like Mayank Yadav is an invaluable addition to any squad. The young pacer from Delhi has already shattered speed records bowling at 156.7 kmph. Selectors are also excited about Mayank Yadav’s performances. However, Mayank Yadav is currently injured and if he continues to perform well, he can break the door open in T20 World Cup.
Similarly, veteran Mohit Sharma has impressed again on slower surfaces. His slower deliveries have been difficult for batters. Even though he has ebbed and flowed this season, in the absence of Shami, Mohit can add experience and his slower deliveries could make a difference on the slow pitches of West Indies & USA.
KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma and Tilak Varma could also make it provided they improve their performances in the coming weeks.
“Mayank is definitely an excellent talent. We have been keeping a close tab on him for a few months now. But he is injured now and selectors will take a call accordingly,” the official said.
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