India T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Here’s a detailed explanation of the World Cup Squad all set to travel to represent India in the most awaited cricket event of 2024.
Since the TATA IPL have been kicked off in March 2024, social media platforms and media reports have flooded with many claims and speculations. These speculations were made regarding the expected squad for the upcoming ICC T20 Mens World Cup 2024.
The BCCI has finally selected the 15-member squad after a long and thorough meetin g with BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, and Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector. The meeting was held in Ahmedabad. As expected, Rohit Sharma will lead the squad, whereas Hardik Pandya, the on-fire all-rounder, has been chosen as Sharma’s deputy.
The major discussions and debates were about the batsman-wicketkeeper position. Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant have been preferred over KL Rahul. Apart from this, there have been many inclusions and exclusions that led to questioning netizens and cricketing experts. Though the squad composition is praiseworthy, let’s take a closer look at the players’ list:
T-20 World Cup Squad 2024: Who Made It In The List
The Rohit Sharma-led T20 Squad for the Men’s World Cup 2024 announcement was awaited for two to three months. Numerous speculations were highly buzzed due to the increased contender list.
The game of multiple players has been outstanding. This also impacted the selection process; many big names were kept out due to their performance. However, the following players are confirmed to travel for the upcoming major ICC event.
Rishabh Pant is making a desired comeback after the recovery from the fatal accident in 2022. India will be beginning their World Cup Campaign with the first match on the 5th of June at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This game will be played against Ireland.
Selected 15-member Squad
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohd. Siraj
Reserved Players List
- Shubhman Gill
- Rinku Singh
- Avesh Khan
- Khaleel Ahmed
Pant-Samson Entrusted For Wicketkeeping Over KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant’s fitness was much awaited to make him part of international events and matches. His commendable performance as the captain of Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL confirmed that he is now completely fit to travel as the main wicketkeeper of the World Cup Squad 2024.
Another star performer of IPL 2024, Sanju Samson has been preferred over veteran players, Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul. However, he might be warming the bench as Pant will be handed the gloves.
Despite the appreciating performance of Rahul as a wicketkeeper-batsman over the years, he is not selected in the squad. This remains the most questionable exclusion for this World Cup Team.
Inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube: No Shubhman Gill
Another big-name exclusion that raised the eyebrows is Shubhman Gill. Despite being a strong contender for the opening batsman alongside Rohit Sharma, he’s been kept in the reserved group.
Selectors and BCCI have shown trust in Yashasvi Jaiswal who has been in superb form in 2024. Though he didn’t get the expected start in his IPL campaign from Rajasthan Royals, his exceptional form as an opener in the T20s secured his place in the World Cup Squad 2024.
The squad also includes the power-hitter Shivam Dube who is known for his hard-hitting and superb strike rate. Though the exclusion of Rinku Singh, another power-hitter, is being questioned, Shivam Dube’s inclusion is non-arguable. He is currently the star player of the IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings with 350 runs in just 9 innings.
Virat Kohli, SKY and Ravindra Jadeja As Expert Players
Some people and even the selectors were questioning Virat Kohli’s place in the Squad. There’s no doubt Virat Kohli has a fixed spot in the T20 World Cup Squad not only for his supreme performance but also for his experience.
Along with Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja are the experienced and senior players of the traveling squad. SKY has been commendable in T20s and can show his experience in tough situations. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can change games with their experience.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are the experienced add-ons in the squad. They both can handle tricky situations with the bat as well as the ball. The three main all-rounders of this squad include Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and hard-hitting Hardik Pandya.
Aggressive Spin Attack: Kul-Cha (Kuldeep and Chahal Comeback)
When we talk about the spinning attack, Kuldeep Yadav had his spot fixed in the spot due to his undeniable performance in the recent T20s. Many questions were regarding Yuzvendra Chahal’s place; BCCI relied on him and he will be traveling as the leg-spinner along with Kuldeep Yadav.
This certainly means we’ll see the comeback of Kul-Cha in the most anticipated event. No one is unfamiliar with the aggressive spin attack when these two play together. Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel could be added to the playing XI as the third spinner. This will help the Indian World Cup Squad to get the desired variation and valuable experience.
Experienced Pacers: Bumrah and Siraj Included
Though the squad includes two experienced pacers— Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd. Siraj, Arshdeep Singh is not very experienced as a pacer option. Bumrah’s form and performance are unquestionable, he can change the matches with his supreme experience.
However, Siraj and Arshdeep are talented add-ons but their form is not praiseworthy. So, this could be a major question regarding the selection of three pacers only. Indian Team will be traveling to New York with four commendable spinners and only three pacers.
The Goods:
- Despite the extreme questioning about the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the selectors have gone with their experience and seniority.
- Experienced players like Jadeja, Kohli, etc. can handle and manage the team pressure of playing on new and unfamiliar pitches.
- Pant and Samson are excellent wicketkeeping choices as both are currently showing exceptional games with favorable strike rates and the ability to hit maximums.
- Despite the poor form of Hardik Pandya, he has been backed by the selectors and fellow team members. He’s a world-class player undoubtedly and can be a game-changer in major events and tournaments.
- Shivam Dube’s six-hitting ability made him the undeniable choice for the selectors to play against the spinners in the most challenging middle overs. He can help win matches single-handedly and has now skilled himself to play against pacers.
The Bads:
- The inclusion of four spinners could be a burning question. Any team can play with three spinners only and Rohit Sharma would go with Axar, Jadeja, and Kuldeep according to the pitch conditions. Adding two all-rounders is necessary to give batting depth. So, either of the four spinners has to sit outside in the matches.
- The pace department is also questionable. Three pacers have been included, only Bumrah is in form currently. Indian squad might have to face issues with the pacing attack as Hardik’s bowling is not in form and Shivam Dube has not got any bowling opportunities yet.
- Keeping Rinku Singh in the reserved group is another topic for cricketing debate. He can smoothly finish the matches and play under pressure; still not preferred for the 15-member squad. He’s proven his worth as a top-order and middle-order batsman playing freely from Kolkata Knight Riders.
FAQs
Ques 1. When was the India T20 World Cup 2024 Squad made official?
Ans. BCCI and selectors officially announced the World Squad 2024 on the 30th of April 2024, Tuesday.
Ques 2. How many spinners and pacers have been included in the squad?
Ans. The four experienced spinners include Chahal, Kuldeep, Axar Patel, and Jadeja. The pacing attack includes Mohd. Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.