T20 World Cup India Squad 2024 Live Updates: The BCCI has finally announced India’s squad for the T20 World Cup which features the inclusion of Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma will captain a squad of 15, the highlight of which is the return of Yuzvendra Chahal and a maiden World Cup call-up for Shivam Dube. Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant are the two wicketkeepers and Hardik Pandya returns as India’s vice-captain. Axar Patel finds a place to bolster the spin department led by Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Chahal. Besides, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj will assist India’s pace battery led by Jasprit Bumrah.
The BCCI also announced a list of four reserve players – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed – who will be travelling with the squad. The first batch of players are to leave for USA on May 21.
A key selection decision involved the wicketkeeper-batsman position. Samson, who impressed as both a batter and captain for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, earned the nod as the second wicketkeeper-batsman alongside the established Pant. This selection edged out contenders like KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.
The squad also witnessed the return of hard-hitting batter Dube, who secured his place with a strong performance in the IPL. Another significant inclusion is Chahal, the leg-spinner who last played for India in August 2023. Chahal will join Kuldeep Yadav as the team’s second wrist-spinner, adding valuable experience and variation to the attack.
However, there were some notable omissions. Gill, who has been leading the Gujarat Titans with success in the IPL, finds himself among the reserves alongside Kolkata Knight Riders’ big-hitter Rinku Singh. The selectors opted to show continued faith in the young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who overcame a sluggish start in the IPL to regain form for the Rajasthan Royals.
The T20 World Cup kicks off on June 2, with India’s campaign starting on June 5 against Ireland in New York. The team will be hoping to overcome recent challenges and emerge victorious in this highly anticipated tournament.
