Even though the final stage of IPL 2024 is still remaining, the focus has already shifted to the T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will be the first to arrive in the USA ahead of the IND vs BAN warm-up clash on June 1 but two crucial players — Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj could miss out apart from Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal.
With hardly a gap between the IPL and T20 World Cup, India will play only one warm-up game on June 1 against Bangladesh. While it will be ideal for the players to play together before the campaign begins on June 5, those who would arrive late, won’t have a lot of time.
Arrival in the USA
The first batch of Indian players reaches the USA on May 25 at midnight. Stars who won’t play in the IPL final will join Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. The second set of stars will arrive in New York on May 28, giving them hardly any time to acclimatise to the conditions, especially the time difference. Hence, the players who will be in the second batch are likely to get a rest, especially if they play in the IPL 2024 final.
Why Kohli & Siraj could miss out?
After a dramatic turn of events, Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the IPL 2024 playoffs. That means RCB will play the Eliminator on May 22.
If they win the Eliminator, RCB will play Qualifier 2 on May 24, extending both Virat Kohli and Mohd Siraj’s stay in the IPL. Now, if RCB play in the IPL 2024 final, Virat Kohli and Mohd Siraj will leave on May 27 at midnight.
However, there is a chance that if RCB are knocked out in the Eliminator, Kohli & Siraj will accompany Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid on the first flight to the United States on May 25 for the T20 World Cup.
fatigue before T20 World Cup
If Kohli & Siraj arrive on May 29 in the USA, they will have only two days of rest before the IND vs BAN warm-up. Hence, the team management is likely to rest the two ahead of India vs Ireland clash on June 5 in T20 World Cup.
With a 9.5-hour time difference between India and New York, it will be difficult for them to acclimatise. Hence, both Kohli-Siraj won’t be at their best as fatigue will grip the players.
Furthermore, the likes of Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also miss the only warm-up clash if Rajasthan Royals reach the IPL final. RR will likely take on RCB in the Eliminator on May 22. Depending on the winners, teams will travel in batches from Mumbai.
The only respite for India Cricket Team would be rest for Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. With Mumbai Indians ending their campaign, Rohit-Bumrah will have at least a week’s rest before travelling to the USA.
