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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the much-awaited Team India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 after a selection meeting held in Ahmedabad. Led by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel, the announcement brought both excitement and disappointment among fans and players alike.
Familiar faces and newcomers in the squad
The 15-member squad saw a mix of familiar faces and promising newcomers. Veterans like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja retained their spots, alongside the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Among the fresh faces were Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, offering a blend of experience and youthful vigor. Noteworthy comebacks included Sanju Samson and Yuzvendra Chahal, adding depth to the squad.
Exclusions raise eyebrows
Despite the anticipation, there were notable exclusions from the final squad. The absence of KL Rahul, the former vice-captain, came as a surprise. Rahul, who had played a pivotal role in previous tournaments, failed to secure a spot this time. Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh, known for their recent consistency, found themselves named as traveling reserves, sparking discussions among cricket pundits.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 – Team India to leave for USA in two batches; here are the dates
India’s excluded XI for the T20 World Cup 2024
- Shubman Gill: A stylish right-handed batter known for his impeccable technique and elegant strokeplay, Gill has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. Gill, who is currently leading Gujarat Titans (GT), has showcased his potential in limited-overs formats for India and in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: A classy opener with a penchant for aggressive strokeplay, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Gaikwad has made a name for himself with impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), displaying maturity beyond his years. Taking over the reigns from the legendary MS Dhoni in IPL 2024, Gaikwad has also proved his potential of carrying leadership qualities.
- Tilak Varma: A talented young batter with a sound technique and an array of shots, Tilak has caught the attention with his ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required. The Mumbai Indians (MI) batter has been one of the most improved and consistent performers in the cash-rich league.
- Shreyas Iyer: A versatile middle-order batter known for his ability to build innings and finish games with panache, Iyer has been a consistent performer in international cricket. He has proven his mettle in the IPL as well. Iyer is currently leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing season of IPL.
- KL Rahul: A dynamic wicketkeeper-batter and former vice-captain of the Indian team, Rahul has been a pillar of consistency in white-ball cricket. His ability to adapt to any situation and play a variety of roles in the team are nothing short of perfection. No wonder, the absence of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain from India squad surprised many.
- Rinku Singh: A hard-hitting left-handed batter known for his ability to clear the ropes at will, Rinku’s exclusion from India’s 15-member left many astonished. He has been a consistent performer in IPL and has shown glimpses of his talent in the international arena, making him a valuable asset in the T20 format.
- Varun Chakravarthy: A mystery spinner with a wide array of variations, Chakravarthy has made a name for himself with his ability to deceive batters. The KKR spinner is known for bagging crucial wickets, earning him a reputation as a wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
- Ravi Bishnoi: A talented leg-spinner with a knack for picking up wickets, Bishnoi has impressed with his consistency and control, making him a potent weapon in the spin department, particularly in the T20 format. The LSG spinner has impressed with his constant performances in the lucrative tournament.
- T Natarajan: A left-arm pacer known for his ability to bowl accurate yorkers at will, Natarajan has made a rapid rise through the ranks with his performances in the IPL and has proven himself as a reliable death overs specialist. The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer could’ve been India’s arsenal for the slog overs and be a great support of Bumrah.
- Sandeep Sharma: A natural swing bowler with the ability to move the ball both ways, Sandeep has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and has shown his prowess in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer is a valuable asset in the powerplay and at the death.
- Khaleel Ahmed: A left-arm fast bowler with the ability to generate pace and extract bounce from any surface, Khaleel has been a consistent performer in limited opportunities he got for the Indian team. The Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer has been super impressive in IPL and his inclusion in Team India’s squad would’ve been worthy.
