Team India, the inaugural champions of the 2007 T20 World Cup, haven’t performed as per expectations in T20 cricket ever since winning the trophy. The team ended as runners-up during the 2014 T20 World Cup while losing out in the semi-finals twice, once during the 2016 edition and once in the most recently concluded one.
It is fair to say that the team hasn’t done well in this format. And as per the talks, there are many changes expected in the squad. A lot of the non-performing guys will be given an exit, and a lot of new faces will be seen in the blue-coloured jersey.
Here’s a quick look at how the team would be for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Top Order:
Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, Shubhman Gill
The current top order featuring the likes of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma has been dismal. They have failed to provide starts, and their strike rate has been a disaster for the team. The top order needs a makeover. The team needs batters who can accelerate at will and display an aggressive style of batting.
Prithvi Shaw is the opener team India needs. He has the ability to score runs at will and has been doing the job for the Delhi Capitals and his domestic team. Partnering Shaw can be Ishan Kishan. The Mumbai Indians player has been in terrific form lately. The wicketkeeper-batter delivered one of his finest T20 knocks during the team’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 fixture against Odisha by slamming an unbeaten 102 runs off just 64 deliveries.
The third option in the opening department can be Shubhman Gill. The right-hander was the highest runs scorer for Gujarat Titans in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League. Also, he had an excellent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The opener scored 260 runs in 6 matches.
Middle Order:
Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer
Though Virat Kohli is scoring tons of runs, no one is sure that he will continue till the next T20 World Cup. If he continues, nothing like it. But if he doesn’t, then the responsibility falls on the able shoulders of Suryakumar Yadav.
The batter has showed his range of shots and consistency in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. So he becomes an automatic selection for the team.
Deepak Hooda has been knocking on the team’s door for quite a while. And it’s high time everyone should take notice of this talent. The Rajasthan player has amassed 293 runs in 13 games.
Wicketkeepers:
Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant
Currently, the team is persisting with Rishabh Pant in all formats of the game. And he is also performing as expected. So, I think there won’t be much tinkering in the wicket-keeping department.
But, there has been a resurgence of sorts for Sanju Samson. The Kerala-based batsman has been the most improved batter in recent times. After having a terrific IPL, the batter impressed everyone with his batting skills in the ODI series against South Africa.
All-rounders:
Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar
Well, if we believe the noise, there is going to be a new skipper to lead the T20 team. And the new captain of the Indian T20 team is none other than Hardik Pandya. Pandya will be the perfect choice as the next skipper of the Indian team. He has tasted success with his stint with the Gujarat Titans in IPL.
Ravindra Jadeja is the best all-rounder in the Indian team. The man can bat, bowl and save runs in the field. Also, his records in T20 are worth mentioning. In 64 matches, he has scored 457 runs at a strike rate of 124.52 and took 51 wickets at an economy of 7.04.
Washington Sundar is the third player that makes this lot. The off-spinner has been decently in whatever opportunities he has got.
Spinners:
Ravi Bishnoi, Yuvvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Yuzvendra Chahal should be the automatic selection for this Indian team. I couldn’t understand why he was left out of playing XI in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He is a wicket-taking bowler and should have played at all costs. The leg-spinner has taken 85 wickets in 69 matches with an average of 24.64.
The duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, fondly called “KulCha”, was one of the deadliest spin combinations in the team. But as time progressed, Kuldeep Yadav lost his golden form and eventually lost his place. However, the left-arm chinaman bowler has made a return to the national squad.
Ravi Bishnoi takes the place of the backup spinner in the T20 squad. The right-arm leg spinner has played 70 T20 matches and taken 85 wickets at an economy of 7.07.
Pace Bowlers:
Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh get automatically picked for the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. Although Bhuvaneshwar Kumar has performed fairly well, picking Deepak Chahar instead of him will add balance to the squad. Deepak Chahar is a great bowling option in the powerplays and can contribute well with the bat.
The next edition of the T20 World Cup will be held in West Indies and the USA. And a tall, lanky pacer in the Caribbean islands will be a great option. Hence, I have included Prasidh Krishna in the squad.
India’s likely playing XI at the 2024 T20 World Cup
Prithvi Shaw
Ishan Kishan
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Hardik Pandya (C)
Ravindra Jadeja
Deepak Chahar
Yuzvendra Chahal
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
So, that’s it. That’s the likely playing XI for the 2024 T20 World Cup from my end. Do let me know your thoughts on the current selection and which players should be dropped from the squad.
