The Indian cricket team’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet with BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on April 30 to finalize the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas. The official announcement of the squad is expected a day later.
One of the key talking points of the selection meeting will be the second wicketkeeper’s slot. KL Rahul and Sanju Samson are the two contenders for the position. Rahul has a higher IPL strike rate (144) and has scored 378 runs so far, while Samson has scored 385 runs at a strike rate of 161. However, Samson has been in consistent form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, while Rahul’s approach in T20 cricket is considered archaic by some.
Another topic of discussion will be the inclusion of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been in good form in the IPL, but his fitness and bowling workload will be factors in the selection decision.
Other players who could be considered for the squad include Tilak Varma, a left-handed batter and handy off-spinner, and pacer Sandeep Sharma, whose slower variations have been effective for Rajasthan Royals.
The selection committee will also need to consider the conditions in the Americas, which are expected to be slow and conducive to spin bowling. This could lead to the inclusion of a specialist spinner like Ravi Bishnoi or Axar Patel.
The T20 World Cup will be held in the United States and the Caribbean from October 16 to November 13. India is placed in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and two qualifiers.
