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The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is less than a month away and Team India has announced their squad for the marquee tournament. There were debates on a few players before the selection and there was surprise exclusion as well. Today, we will do a squad analysis of Team India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. We will also see the probable playing XI of Team India as well.
A few sure-shot selections for Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
An experienced duo of Rohit and Virat in the team
If we look at things about 6-7 months ago, the management and the selectors are looking ahead of both, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. We could have seen a new Team India, in which Hardik Pandya could be a T20I captain and a few youngsters as well. But the moment Hardik gets injured, his fitness concerns forced the selectors to find other options.
The selectors eventually went with Rohit Sharma as captain again. And the moment Rohit becomes captain again, the inclusion of Virat is almost certain.
A few reports also say that the slow wickets in the World Cup will not suit Virat Kohli, but he has been there and done it before as well. His experience is vital for the team.
Bumrah and Surya – a certainty in the team
Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav are a certainty in the team. The former is by far the best bowler in the format currently and the latter is one of the best T20 batter around the world.
Hardik Pandya is also a certainty as he gives the right balance to the team as an all-rounder. His form right now is not good, but we know what he has done in the past for Team India in T20Is.
Yashasvi over Shubman in the squad
Before the team announcement, the debate was on whether Yashasvi Jaiswal should go as the opener or Shubman Gill. And Yashasvi makes the cut in the end.
Off-late, he has played a few good innings. And Shubman hasn’t been in good touch in IPL 2024. The recency factor helps the left-hander to make the cut in the squad.
Rishabh and Sanju as two wicketkeepers
There were a few more names before the selection like KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik, Jitesh Sharma, and even Dhruv Jurel. The problem with Ishan and KL is both play in the top order for their franchises. And Team India needs a wicketkeeper who can bat in the middle order.
Both Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are better equipped to play in the middle order.
DK has won a game for RCB, but he failed to finish a few games after that. Jitesh’s performances haven’t been up to the mark for the selection.
Rohit needs 4 spinners in the team
Team India has picked 4 spinners for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit, in the press conference, said they need 4 spinners in the team. It’s because the pitches are expected to be slower in the West Indies. It’s also an indication that we might see 3 spinners together in the playing XI.
Yuzvendra Chahal was preferred over Ravi Bishnoi, purely based on form. Kuldeep will be the first-choice wrist spinner as of now. And Axar and Jadeja both are in the team.
Who are the other two pacers?
Along with Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammad Siraj will be the pacers in the squad. Because Mohammad Shami is not available for the selection, these two are the most experienced bowlers and are active in the current Indian setup. There were a few other options for the pacers as well like Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, etc who have done well in IPL 2024, but Siraj and Arshdeep make it to the squad in the end.
Rinku’s exclusion – a big surprise
About 1.5 months ago, Rinku Singh was a certainty in the team as Team India needed someone who could play the role of a finisher, lower down the order. But again the scenario changed when Shivam Dube got the opportunity to bat higher in IPL and he has done well. Also, Rinku didn’t get enough opportunity and whatever little he got, he didn’t make an impact.
The selectors also see Dube as another bowling option as Hardik’s backup. And because of the recency factor, Dube preferred over Rinku.
India Probable playing XI for T20 World Cup 2024:-
Rohit Sharma (c)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Yuzvendra Chahal
Rishabh might start as first choice wicketkeeper and Yashasvi will open with Rohit. If the team wants to fit Dube, Virat has to open instead of Yashasvi. But as of now, this will be the combination to start with.
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024:-
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shivam Dube.
Reserves – Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed.
↻ Bangladesh Cricket – Schedule For T20 World Cup 2024
FAQs:-
(1) Who will play the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 opening game?
The host, the US will play the opening game against Canada in the tournament on June 01 in Dallas.
(2) What are the fixtures of Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Group Stage?
India will play against Ireland (June 05), Pakistan (June 09), US (June 12), and Canada (June 15) in the Group stage. New York will be the venue for the first three games. Florida will host India’s last fixture in the Group stage.
(3) Who has scored the most runs in the T20 World Cup till now?
Virat Kohli has scored the most runs (11410 in T20 World Cup history till now.
