It’s that time of the year again when India get a chance to end their ICC trophy drought. The T20 World Cup 2024 is just around the corner with participants gearing up for the marquee event to be held in the United States and West Indies in late June this year. Whatever you may or may not say about prioritizing domestic cricket, the ongoing season of IPL 2024 will be more important than any other domestic tournament for T20 World Cup selection. Hence, the high-profile T20 league will be crucial for India’s 15-man T20 World Cup 2024 squad contenders as there is not even a week left between the IPL and the upcoming ICCT20 event. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

About a third of the IPL is over and some contenders have already made their way into the league. Let’s first look at a few players who are reasonably certain. Any such list should always start with captain Rohit Sharma, he will open the proceedings along with Yashaswi Jaiswal. And once you bring back Rohit, there is no point in leaving Virat Kohli behind, knowing that India’s batting still revolves around him.

The only other batsman who is certain to fly for the West Indies and the United States is Surya Kumar Yadav, considering his 17-ball fifty against RCB on his return. Apart from these star batsmen, Jasprit Bumrah is also unconcerned for the ICC event.

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are most likely to cement their place in the spin department. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s return and Yuzvendra Chahal’s prolific form has also unsettled Indian think tanks.

Ahead of the squad announcement, the selectors will delve deeper into the IPL to answer their questions. With this in mind, let’s take a look at a few points debating T20 WC squad selection.

Sam bowling all-rounder as sixth bowling option

If fully fit and in form, new Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is a definite starter. But the selectors will want to see what kind of role he plays for their IPL team. After five games this season, Hardik has scored 129 runs at 11.12 per three innings.

Meanwhile, Shiv Dubey has made a brilliant start to IPL 2024, scoring 176 runs in five innings at an impressive strike rate of 160, but he is yet to bowl in this IPL and that is what the selectors are looking for. So there are challenges. However, it will be interesting to see how Shivam Dubey will be slotted into the playing XI.

Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant ready for T20 World Cup?

PBKS batsman Jitesh Sharma was the closest contender for the wicketkeeper’s role at the start of the IPL but the decision-makers would ideally have liked to see him in internationals a bit more.

However, Rishabh Pant’s return has dispelled doubts about his recent form in the IPL. The southpaw scored 196 runs in six innings at an average of 157.72. Pant is up against the likes of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan, who are likely to be vying for the second wicketkeeper spot in the squad.

“Yes, look it’s great for Indian cricket, but it’s also great for Rishabh Pant. I think the amount of work that has gone into his recovery to get back to this level of play by any standard is a marvel. It is a success.

“He deserves a lot of credit for his hard work and it’s great to see him captaining the field and playing well, batting and keeping,” former Australia captain Michael Clarke told IPL broadcaster Star Sports. “

Pant, who underwent knee surgery, has shown that he is ready to bat and cap.

Does Virat Kohli deserve a place in the squad?

Former India captain Virat Kohli currently tops the Orange Cap list with 319 runs at an average of 79.75 in six matches, including a century.

Despite some talk against his ‘anchoring’ strike rate, there’s no way to let him go.

Virat has been a complete match winner for India since his international debut. In the T20 World Cup, he has scored 1,141 runs in 25 innings at an impressive average of 81.50 and a strike rate of over 130.

With a vast experience of 117 T20I matches, Virat’s presence in the middle order as an anchor will only provide balance to the attacking style of Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Rinku Singh, and Shiv Dubey.

Besides fast bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah is definitely up there. He will lead India’s pace battery in the T20 World Cup. But, India need two more pacers in the starting XI for the ICC event. With Mohammad Shami out of contention due to injury and Bhuvneshwar Kumar not involved in India’s T20 schemes since the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup, nobody comes close to Bumrah in terms of quality and experience.

The final squad to play against Afghanistan consisted of Arsdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. One of the fastest bowlers in all formats, Mohammad Siraj is bowling at 10.40 in the ongoing IPL and has just four scalps to his name after six matches.

Lucknow Supergiants pace sensation Mayank Yadav was in talks to make the squad somewhere but he still needs a few international matches to prove his mettle.

With India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 likely to be announced in the last week of April, the contenders have limited opportunities to impress and contribute to Bumrah in the fast bowling department.

Who are the death-over killers?

Finishers auditioning for the said role should be able to score 180 or more in 17 to 20 overs. For that role, no one can go ahead of Rinku Singh, at least in the T20 format.

The southpaw has scored 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at an impressive strike rate of 176.23. There is no reason to keep him out of the squad.

Rinko’s inclusion in the final XI may still be difficult as Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, and Ravindra Jadeja are other contenders for limited finisher slots.