5 new Indian players for T20 World Cup 2024 based on their IPL exploits!

The ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has special significance as based on the performances in the first half of the mega event, the Indian team will be selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The marquee event is all set to take place in West Indies and USA immediately after the IPL.

All the teams are required to submit their 15-player squad lists roughly a month prior to the tournament, which starts in June. Now, the million dollar question is who will be in and out of the Indian team for the shortest format World Cup?

In the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022, India started well and won four out of their five group stage matches to qualify for the semifinals. However, they lost against eventual champions England with a demoralising 10-wicket defeat. The Men in Blue will look to make amends as the tournament will give another chance for them to lift an ICC trophy. They have not done so since 2013, when the Men in Blue won the ICC Champions Trophy.

While a few members from the Indian squad are almost certain to be picked, the selectors may spring few surprises by selecting some talented cricketers based on their exploits in the first half of the ongoing IPL. 

The Possible Players for T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma has been confirmed to lead India in the marquee event. His Mumbai Indians teammate Suryaumar Yadav is also a lock in the squad. Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be another sure-shot candidate if he is fit. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is almost a certainty in the squad provided his body takes the toll in IPL 2024. Another all-rounder, Axar Patel will surely be in the squad but not necessarily in the starting XI.

However interestingly, questions are being raised over former captain Virat Kohli’s place in the Indian team as experts from some school of thought are of the opinion that with the emergence of many talented and explosive batters, Kohli as an anchor is no more required in the team. However, it will be a tough task for the selectors to exclude Kohli from the team.

Let’s have a look at some proven, promising and emerging talents whom the selectors may consider in the 15-member squad:

Opening batsman

Explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in brilliant form for the last one and half years. As Rohit is the other opener, Jaiswal has to face tough competition from Shubman Gill for another slot as an opener.

Middle-order

Explosive batter Rinku Singh could also earn a spot in the middle-order with his stellar performances for Team India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With Suryakumar and Hardik certain in the squad, likes of Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube are all fighting hard for maybe a lone spot.

Wicketkeepers

Several talented players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma are all in the fray for the lone wicketkeeper spot in the squad. With BCCI not happy with Kishan’s temperament, he will not be considered for selection. Meanwhile, Pant has already shown glimpses of his old shelf in IPL. Considering the personality of coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, Pant may be considered in the squad.

Fast bowlers

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will not recover in time from his surgery to be included in the squad. It might be Siraj who will partner Bumrah in the pace bowling department. Mukesh Kumar and Deepak Chahar may also be considered as pace options. However, the wildcard option will be LSG’s talented and emerging speedster Mayank Yadav who is a revelation in IPL 2024 so far.

Spin bowlers

All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Axar patel and chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav are almost certain to make it into the squad as spinners. With Yuzvendra Chahal out of reckoning, talented leggie Ravi Bishnoi will need a good IPL to make it into the squad.