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The T20 World Cup 2024 is approaching swiftly, and Indian cricketers are currently vying for spots in the tournament through their performances in the ongoing 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Fierce competition for spots in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad
With squads required to be named by May 1, the Indian selectors are expected to announce India’s squad for the upcoming global showpiece event soon. While some players are confirmed to retain their spots, there is fierce competition for a few places. Consequently, performances in IPL 2024 are crucial as it often serves as a pathway for several Indian cricketers to international tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s concerns over limited opportunities in IPL 2024
However, the lack of opportunities in the ongoing IPL 2024 could prove to be a significant obstacle for highly deserving cricketers to secure their place in India’s T20 XI, according to India batter Sanjay Manjrekar. In a recent interview with Firstpost, the former Indian cricketer praised Rinku Singh for his consistent performances and regarded him as a “straight walk-in into the Indian team,” Nonetheless, Manjrekar expressed concern that Rinku might miss out on a place in India’s T20 XI due to “not getting many opportunities,” in IPL 2024.
“Because he’s not getting many opportunities, I hope selectors won’t forget about Rinku Singh. He’s a straight walk-in into the Indian team. Every time he has got the opportunity, you’ve seen how good he can be, in the sense of his consistency and the range that he has. He’s somebody who I like, apart from the core of the Indian team, apart from the big names we are thinking about,” Manjrekar said.
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Performance and potential selection dilemma
In 2023, Rinku earned a spot in India’s T20 team after delivering consistent performances during IPL 2023. During that season, the 26-year-old amassed 474 runs in 14 matches, showcasing his talent with an impressive display, including a memorable five six against Yash Dayal in an IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This year, Rinku has managed to score only 83 runs in limited appearances. Despite the restricted opportunities, he has made the most of his chances in IPL 2024, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 162.75.
India’s fixture schedule and key matches in the tournament
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is set to lead the Men in Blue in the global showpiece event, as confirmed by Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), during the India-England Test series preceding the IPL. Currently, Rohit is playing under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, representing Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL.
India’s journey in the T20 World Cup will kick off against Ireland on June 5, followed by a face-off against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 8. Their third match will be against co-host United States of America (USA) on June 12 before concluding the league stage with a match against Canada on June 15. The final will take place in Barbados, West Indies, on June 29.
