The T20 World Cup 2024 is getting closer with each passing day and the upcoming edition of the tournament promises to be another blockbuster event of high-octane cricketing action. The 2024 T20 World Cup will be taking place in West Indies and the United States from June 2, and pitches in the Windies, in particular, have been known to help slower bowlers and spinners in recent years, which is a far cry from the fast bowling decks in the Caribbean from yesteryears.
Here we compare the five spinners who will be fighting for the spots in the India team. It includes three left-armers Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. But all eyes will be on whether Yuzvendra Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, will be picked or not.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav has been in great form across formats for India and will most likely be a part of the T20 World Cup squad for the Men in Blue. The left-arm wrist spinner boasts a solid T20I record having claimed 59 scalps in 35 games at an average of 14.10 and an economy of 6.74. The 29-year-old has looked good in IPL 2024 as well with six wickets in four games at an average of 16.17 and an economy of 6.06.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal wouldn't have been in the conversation to make India T20 World Cup squad a month back, but his displays in IPL 2024 has definitely put him in the reckoning. Chahal, who last represented India in T20Is in August 2023, is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 with 12 scalps in seven games. The right-arm leg break bowler who is one shy of claiming 200 IPL wickets has also claimed 96 scalps in 80 T20Is and is a strong contender for being one of India's spinners for T20 World Cup 2024. The veteran has often been ignored for big events.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi has had a taste of what it's like to represent India in T20Is having done so on 24 occasions after his debut in the format in February 2022. Bishnoi has claimed 36 T20I wickets but will find it difficult to make the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup owing to stiff competition. He's not had the best of IPL seasons either having claimed four wickets in six games. Only a strong finish to the IPL season in the second half can help Bishnoi's chances, however, his inclusion in the squad doesn't look likely at the moment.
Ravindra Jadeja
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is almost a certainty for the 2024 T20 World Cup and will have a role to play with the ball. A highly skilled left-arm orthodox spinner with an abundance of experience on the international stage, Jadeja has taken 53 T20I wickets at an economy of 7.10. Apart from his propensity to take wickets, what boosts Jadeja's chances of making the squad is his batting prowess and fielding ability which puts him in a class of his own as one of the best in the world.
Axar Patel
All-rounder Axar Patel is another spin option for India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. He's claimed 49 wickets in T20Is for India at an economy of 7.26. However, the reason why he's unlikely to be a part of the Men in Blue squad is his similarities with Ravindra Jadeja, who is a better batter as well as fielder and also has more experience on the international stage than Axar. The only way Axar could force himself into selection contention is if he enjoys a good IPL 2024 season. Currently, he's only managed five scalps in seven IPL 2024 games, which certainly isn't good enough to force himself into the reckoning.