India's T20 World Cup Conundrum: Finding the Perfect Backup Opener

At the end of April, the Indian cricket team would be likely to shortlist their 15-member squad Title that sticks to the May 1 cut-off date for the provisional list. Per the given statements captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are some certain player selection in India's T20 World Cup squad.

The last five slots will be pulled out after the player's performance in the ongoing IPL 2024, which starts in the first four weeks of the tournament. A BCCI source told PTI that T20 World Cup national selection panel would probably not include any new player, according to the news agency PTI.

Also, it has been claimed that previous captain Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma may start for India at the 2019 T20 World Cup, which will take place in the United States and the West Indies starting on June 2.

"We can exclude experimentation or selection of unorthodox players. Only those who have played for India in T20Is and performed well consistently in IPL will get a chance," the unidentified BCCI official said to the news agency.

India possible squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

Along with Shubman Gill against Yashasvi Jaiswal, the batting lineup looks impressive.

While the previously out-of-form batter is waiting for a second chance, the other team chooses one of these young athletes to take over from the existing opening batsman. While the automatic selections will be Rohit and Virat, Shubman Gill is most probably picked comparing to Yashasvi Jaiswal on current credentials. With as many as 263 runs in 7 matches, including 2 fifties, GT skipper Gill gave a fabulous show in IPL 2024 sailing. The story is different for Jaiswal's RR opening partner. Despite staying rock solid with 203 runs in seven games, he has also been on the wrong side of fortune with only 121 runs to his credit.

Second choice wicket-keeper

His sensational return to IPL from deadly car accident made him almost a pick up for the wicket-keeper position in T20 World Cup that is next year. During this time, India is speculated to have picked another wicket-keeper in the 15 player team. Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are the ones in the frame to be the second wicket-keeper. Yet, Sanju is much more successful than Rahul has been in 2024 IPL this time. While Sangju has got 276 runs in his 7 games, Rahul has managed 204 runs. The present the form is the Sanju will be chosen for the last 15.

Rinku Singh against Shivam Dube

The inclusion of Jaiswal and Gill in addition to Virat and Rohit as openers means that one player each from Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh may not make the 15-man Indian team. They may provide much-needed firepower down the order as finishers. For their respective IPL teams as well as the Indian cricket squad, Rinku and Shivam have been in excellent form. While KKR's standout finisher Rinku has scored 83 runs at a strike rate of 162.74 and has looked excellent with the bat in his few opportunities, CSK's Shivam has taken center stage after scoring 242 runs in the IPL 2024 at a strike rate of above 160.

Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi case

Out of the three, one will be the choice of the third due to the certainties of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Furthermore, the only leg-spinner, either Yuzvendra Chahal or Ravi Bishnoi, can offer variation to the squad. On the other hand, Bishnoi could give Chahal a run for his money only if he manages to get into his good form. The bowler of the Rajasthan Royals has found his form and is 2nd highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets in the ongoing IPL season 2024. Ravi Bishnoi, the LSGs bowler has picked four wickets in this T20 tournament only. Jadeja could possibly dislodge Axar in the final eleven.

Avenuesh Khan - Arshdeep Singh

India will select one more pacer in their final fifteen, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj almost inevitable. It is anticipated that Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh would fight for this position. The favored option is probably going to be Arshdeep Singh since the left-arm pacer adds more diversity to the Men in Blue's bowling attack. In just seven IPL 2024 games, Arshdeep, who plays for the Punjab Kings, has already claimed nine wickets. Avesh Khan has taken seven wickets in as many games for LSG, making him a formidable wicket-taker. Avesh must, however, exert more effort and use more resources if he hopes to surpass Arshdeep in India's final 15-man roster.