As Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 fever intensifies, the Indian cricket team fans are also keeping an eye on the performances of the players ahead of the much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to start on June 2 in the West Indies and the United States. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India will aim to end their ICC trophy drought having not won an ICC title since 2013.
India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is likely to be announced in the last week of April as ICC’s cut-off date for submission of the squads is May 1. The teams will get a chance to change players in their initial squad till May 25.
With that being said, we take a look at what India’s probable squad for T20 World Cup 2024 may look like based on the performances after the first two weeks of IPL 2024. This list is just a hypothesis and not official at all.
Rohit Sharma (captain)
BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue in the marquee T20 World Cup 2024. The swashbuckling opening batter was part of the team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Sharma has scored over 11,000 runs in more than 400 T20s so far.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Flamboyant opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in scintillating form since making his international debut in July 2023. Jaiswal has already amassed over 2,000 runs with two centuries and 15 fifties, including a ton for India against Nepal. He could open alongside Rohit Sharma depending on his form.
Shubman Gill
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill is another contender for the opening slot and has been in good form in IPL 2024 having scored an unbeaten 89 against Punjab Kings. The right-hander batter has staggering numbers in T20 cricket, having accumulated almost 4,000 runs including five hundreds and 23 fifties in the shortest format.
Virat Kohli
Former skipper Virat Kohli has been in magnificent form in the ongoing IPL. Kohli has been the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024, having scored 316 runs in five matches at an average of 105.33 and a strike rate of 146.29. He could also open the innings with Rohit on current form in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav has returned to Mumbai Indians’ starting XI after a lengthy injury layoff. The world’s top-ranked T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, is almost a certainty at No.3, having amassed over 2,000 T20I runs in 60 matches at an average of 45.55 and an impressive strike rate of 171.55.
Rinku Singh
Hard-hitting batter Rinku Singh is expected to retain his place in India’s middle-order in T20 World Cup 2024. Having played several match-winning knocks for India and Kolkata Knight Riders, Rinku will be an important member of the squad. Rinku has scored close to 2,500 T20 runs in 114 matches at a strike rate of 148.86 and is likely to don the role of finisher for India.
Hardik Pandya
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is another certainty in India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024. Pandya is a match-winner in the T20 format, having amassed over 4,500 runs and bagged more than 150 wickets so far.
Rishabh Pant
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made an impressive comeback in the IPL after a near-fatal car crash. DC captain Pant has scored 153 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 154.54 while maintaining an average of 30.60. Pant could be the first-choice wicketkeeper depending on his fitness.
Ravindra Jadeja
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also likely to make India’s 15-member squad. Jadeja has picked more than 200 T20 wickets and has also scored close to 3,500 runs in cricket’s shortest format. He will aim to quickly return to form for CSK in IPL 2024.
Kuldeep Yadav
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been impressive for the Indian cricket team across formats. Kuldeep has claimed 177 T20 wickets and is an X-factor in any side. He is expected to retain his place in the squad.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah will once again be the bowling spearhead in India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024. Bumrah has bagged over 250 T20 wickets at an economy of just seven and has five scalps in IPL 2024, including his 150th Indian Premier League wicket for Mumbai Indians.
Mohammed Siraj
In the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj is expected to be picked in the T20 World Cup squad despite a lack of form. Siraj’s wicket-taking ability gives him an edge and he has scalped close to 150 T20 wickets in more than 125 matches.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson could pip KL Rahul as the backup wicketkeeper in India’s T20 World Cup squad based on his current form. Samson has looked in great touch in IPL 2024, having scored 178 runs in four matches at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 150.85.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has staked a claim in the T20 World Cup squad based on his brilliant performances in IPL 2024. Chahal has been the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, having bagged eight wickets in four matches at an economy of 6.35.
Mayank Yadav
Young pacer Mayank Yadav could be the surprise inclusion in India’s 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024. Mayank has hogged the limelight with his raw pace in IPL 2024, having picked up six wickets at an economy of six in three matches so far.
India’s probable squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mayank Yadav
