As we gear up towards the 2024 T20 World Cup, here are all the latest and live updates including reports, speculations and more surrounding India's squad announcement for the event.
The 2024 T20 World Cup is set to be played in America and the Caribbean through the month of June, starting right after the completion of IPL 2024. As the form and fortunes of players in the reckoning move up and down through the IPL, so do the reports and speculations surrounding their spots in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
India T20 World Cup squad announcement: Live updates
Virat Kohli all set to be picked – reports
There has been much speculation around Kohli’s place in the T20 World Cup squad. Until Match 23 of IPL 2024, he is the highest scorer with more than 300 runs in five games, but his strike rate has been a bone of contention. However, according to a Cricbuzzreport, he is “almost certain” to be included in the squad.
Rishabh Pant the frontrunner in the wicketkeepers’ race
India have a problem of plenty as far as wicketkeeping options are concerned in T20Is. Pant, who made a comeback to cricket after more than a year, has made two fifties already and is looking close to being back to his best.
According to Cricbuzz‘s report, the Indian management “is believed to be convinced that he is ready for international action”, and is set to be preferred over his several other competitors for the role unless his fortunes nosedive in the coming weeks.
Pace sensation Mayank Yadav to be included?
Mayank has burst on the scene like a bolt from the blue in IPL 2024, consistently touching the high 150 kphs and troubling the best of batters. According to reports, there is a temptation of picking the 21-year-old for the T20 World Cup, however, his fitness – he is currently injured with a side strain – is something the selectors will keep a close eye on before making the call.
It's a World Cup year, and Dinesh Karthik is again in form
Karthik has announced this will be his last season in the IPL before he retires. He has been in terrific form off late. From five innings in IPL 2024, Karthik averages 143 and has a strike rate of 190.7.
His purple run has raised some noises about a potential T20 World Cup spot. Back in 2022, Karthik forced his way into the World Cup team, riding an outstanding IPL 2022, where he scored 330 runs at a strike rate of 183 as a finisher for RCB. Rohit Sharma teasing Dinesh Karthik over his World Cup selection during the fixture between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru fuelled rumours about Karthik's probable return.
Sanju Samson is reportedly set to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper
According to an ESPNCricinforeport, the selection committee is considering Sanju Samson as the first-choice wicketkeeper for India's 2024 T20 World Cup squad. That means Rishabh Pant, who has enjoyed a brilliant IPL 2024 so far, will either be slotted in as the reserve wicketkeeper or dropped entirely. Samson has had a stellar run in the ongoing IPL season so far. He has been Rajasthan Royals' highest run-scorer with 385 runs at 77 and 161.09, including four fifties.
When will the T20 WC squad be announced?
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is supposed to announce the squad for the T20 World Cup in the first week of May, by when more than half of the league stage of IPL 2024 will be over, giving them ample time to judge the form and fitness of players in their radar.