Updates on India’s T20 World Cup squad: Four IPL megastars are not included; openers confirmed

The T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the Caribbean is quickly approaching, and the Indian think tank has to make some difficult choices before deciding on India’s final 15-member roster. Although there have been a few media speculations claiming that India would start the T20 World Cup in 2024 with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, we are still unsure about this. Will that, however, be India’s best-case situation heading into the World Cup?

You might argue that pairing India’s two best white-ball players up top is the way to go based on their present form. In essence, this frees up the middle order, giving India the luxury of having Suryakumar Yadav bat at number three, Rishabh Pant at number four, Hardik Pandya at number five, and two finishers at numbers six and seven before the tail end.

But if that’s the case, young players—Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and most crucially, Ishan Kishan—who have often appeared in India’s Twenty20 International scheme of things, would feel unfairly treated. You may also include KL Rahul’s name in the list of openers who were left out.

However, there will inevitably be some heartbreak due to the erratic nature of batting patterns and the difficulties involved in choosing one of the world’s most competitive cricket teams. But the real question is: Is the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli combination up top rational?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are playing well as the IPL 2024 openers.
Above all, both hitters’ recent performance is superior to that of the other candidates we previously highlighted. Like he did last year, Kohli is starting the innings for his team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With 361 runs at an average of 147.34, he presently tops the Orange Cap list for most runs in the 2024 Indian Premier League. If he is selected in India’s 15-man team for the T20 World Cup, how can you not use him as an opener?

Now it’s Rohit Sharma’s turn. With 297 runs in 7 matches at an average of 164.08, including a century, he is now occupying the third position. In addition, this season has seen 100 runs scored by Kohli as well. Based on these specific figures, it is difficult to argue against the Kohli-Sharma combination leading India’s starting lineup in the T20 World Cup of 2024.

One of those justifications may be giving young people a chance. You could go one step further and say, “Well, it’s time young people are given the opportunity on the big stage.” They are ready to take center stage right now. However, how have their shapes been lately? Let’s examine this.

Gujarat’s SHUBMAN GILL IS GOING STRONG Shubman Gill, the captain of his team, has performed well at the top of the order for his team, amassing 263 runs in 7 matches at an average of 151.14. He has a great chance of making the final 15, and he may even be the backup opener for both Sharma and Kohli. He is now ranked sixth on the IPL 2024 Orange Cap list.

Yashaswi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan are having trouble
Let’s go on to Ishhan Kishan and Yashaswi Jaiswal, who have both had difficulty this season with the bat. Kishan took a hiatus from cricket for a period, but Jaiswal entered the 2024 Indian Premier League fresh off a record-breaking Test series victory over England. Ishan did have moments of brilliance, but he has struggled with consistency. Currently ranked 21st on the Orange Cap list for the 2024 Indian Premier League, he has amassed 192 runs at 172.97 in seven matches. Jaiswal, striking at 145.78, is ranked 40th with 121 runs in seven games.

Without a doubt, we shouldn’t evaluate these two only on the basis of their statistics, but prior to significant selection discussions like the T20 World Cup, recency bias has a role. Sanju Samson, a middle-order batsman, makes more sense to be a backup to first-choice keeper Rishabh Pant, even if we believe Ishan Kishan can make it as a backup opener since he is a wicketkeeper, given that we are predicting Gill would be the reserve opener. Samson is ranked fifth on the Orange Cap List with 276 runs scored in seven games and a strike average of 155.05.

KL Rahul is far away from the Others
KL Rahul, the vice captain of India for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, is another intriguing name. Rahul has led the Lucknow Super Giants and had some injury issues, although his early efforts have not been particularly noteworthy. With 204 runs in 6 matches and a strike average of 138.77, he is obviously not in the debate with players who are likely to be selected for the World Cup.