It’s too early to write off Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20Is. Yet, there is a slim chance that both superstars of the India Cricket Team may opt-out or they are not selected for T20 World Cup 2024 in favour of a young brigade. Even though Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have opted for a break from IND vs SA white-ball series, there is a distant possibility. In that “what if” situation, how will India line up in the Caribbean & USA World Cup?
In the recently concluded ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma walked the talk of an aggressive approach. While his T20 stats have dwindled, he hasn’t abandoned the hammer-and-tongs approach.
In the World Cup, he scored at a 125.94 strike rate to set the pace. In IPL 2023, he batted at a 132.80 strike rate, his best since 2015. And that offers a glimpse of what he wants.
What if Rohit Sharma does not play?
Then what happens if the leader of the aggressive approach takes an exile from T20Is? In that case, India already have Shubman Gill to dictate the pace.
Shubman Gill was the top scorer in IPL 2023, scoring 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80. He dictated the pace. In T20Is, he has continued a similar aggressive approach.
Even though he has only played 11 innings so far in T20Is, he has scored a century including a strike rate of 146.85.
With him, Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the other exciting opener. The left-hander set the stage on fire in IPL, scoring 625 runs at a 163.61 strike rate. So far in T20Is, he has continued the same approach, stroking at 170.49 in 11 games. He already has a century in those 11 innings.
What if Virat Kohli does not play?
It’s a tricky spot to fill. Virat Kohli has been India’s go-to man for over a decade at No 3. He was the top-scorer in the T20 World Cup last year and who can forget his knock against Pakistan? But considering everything that Virat Kohli has achieved, he is not a great striker of the ball anymore.
Even though Suryakumar Yadav has batted at No 4 in T20Is, he could take a promotion to No 3 in T20 World Cup 2024. And if he does not, there is Ishan Kishan who is the frontrunner to become the wicketkeeper-batter.
But there is also a case for Tilak Varma should the team management decide to promote another left-hander. In that case, Ishan Kishan will have to exchange places with Varma at No 5.
To make a strong case, Ishan has shown maturity of late, playing as the anchor when needed or the aggressor. And that will be the key as Virat Kohli has done both in difficult situations. Even in T20 WC last year, Kohli had a strike rate of 136.40.
Who else in T20 World Cup 2024?
India Cricket Team may be left with just eight T20Is, by no means, it will dictate squad selection for T20 World Cup 2024. Instead, it will be IPL 2024 first half. And apart from the automatic selections like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, a lot of them will compete for a place through IPL.
For example, three leg-spinners are fighting for a spot. With Yuzvendra Chahal in exile, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi have done well. But IPL 2024 will be crucial for all three to stake a claim.
Similarly, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Siraj will fight for a place in the T20 team through IPL.
Confirmed: Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja
All but confirmed: Yasahsvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ruturaj Gaikwad
Still fighting for a spot: Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal
Outside chance: Sanju Samson, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube
Probable India squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Yasahsvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya (C), Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (WK)
