As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the competition for spots in India's final 15-man squad is intensifying. The battle to secure positions as batters, bowlers and wicketkeepers for the T20 World Cup is heating up, with player performances being closely scrutinized during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 season. With prominent names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav already certainties to make the cut, let's take a look at the players who will be vying for the remaining batting spots in the team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to be a key consideration for selectors ahead of the ICC T20I World Cup 2024. Despite his somewhat subdued performance in the ongoing IPL with Rajasthan Royals, where he has scored 121 runs in seven matches at an average of 17.29 and a strike rate of 145.78, Jaiswal could still make the cut. His impressive strike rate of 161.93 in T20Is where he has four fifties as well as a ton coupled with India's possible requirement for a left-handed opening batter could elevate his selection status among selectors.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill's performance in IPL 2024 has caught the attention of selectors for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. He's made 264 runs in the ongoing season, including two half-centuries and boasts an impressive average of 43.83 and a strike rate of 151.14. The captain of Gujaat Titans this season, Gill has made one fifty and a century in T20Is where he bats at a strike rate of 147.57. He will be one of the front-runners to make the Indian T20 squad if he continues his rich vein of form in IPL 2024.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube has been making waves in IPL 2024 after showcasing some tremendous hitting so far. The left-handed batter has made 242 runs in six IPL 2024 games and is averaging 60.50 at a strike rate of 163.51, making him one of the standout performers of the season so far. Having represented India 21 times so far, Dube has made three fifties and has an average of 39.42 with a strike rate of 145.26 in T20Is. If he continues his current form, Dube's finishing ability might just help him sneak ahead of the likes of Hardik Pandya to make India's T20 squad.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, the star Indian all-rounder and new captain of Mumbai Indians, has struggled in Indian Premier League 2024. Despite his best efforts, Pandya has not been able to produce his best this season. His performance with both bat and ball has been below par this season as his returns of 141 runs and four wickets in seven matches demonstrates. He has also faced challenges off the field in gaining the respect of Mumbai Indians fans following the change of the MI captaincy and his history of injuries could raise concerns about his availability and its potential impact on Team India's performance at the T20 World Cup 2024. Even though Pandya has scored 1348 runs in 71 innings and taken 73 wickets in 92 T20Is, his selection in India's squad is far from certain at this stage.
Rinku Singh
India's best finisher at present, Rinku Singh should be a certainty for India's T20 World Cup squad. While he hasn't scored heavily due to a lack of time at the crease in IPL 2024, he has managed 82 runs in five innings and boasts an impressive strike rate of 162.74 thanks to his belligerent power hitting. His numbers for India in T20Is are also impressive having scored 356 runs in 11 innings at a remarkable average of 89 and a stunning strike rate of 176.23. A hard-hitting batter, India will hope to see Rinku's finishing ability in all its glory at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.