T20 World Cup Squad: Announcement Soon; Focus On Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson

According to multiple reports, India's T20 World Cup squad is set to be announced today. You can follow all the latest developments on our new blog. Click here to track updates from the BCCI meeting.

Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer are having a tough time in their careers. Ahead of IPL 2023, the duo got axed from BCCI's central contract list after they ignored the board's order to play domestic cricket. However, the IPL also did not brought any relief as they are having a mediocre run in the ongoing season. As the announcement of Team India's for the World Cup is approaching, there are absolutely no talks going on regarding these two players. 

Punjab Kings star Jitesh Sharma was also one of the top contenders for the wicketkeepers spot in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Jitesh, who was known for his aggressive hitting and providing his team with the momentum during crunch situations, has failed to live up to the expectations in the ongoing edition of the IPL. In nine matches, he has managed to score only 128 runs with the highest score of 29. However, it will be interesting to see what has destiny planned for him.

Sandeep Sharma has made a strong case for himself in the reckoning for the T20 World Cup squad. He could prove to be a good pick for India in West Indies and USA where pitches are expected to be slow in nature. However, will the selectors that risk, considering that he hasn't played for India in nine years.

Star pacer Jofra Archer is set to earn a recall in England's squad for the T20 World Cup. It also a possibility that Tom Hartley, who made his Test debut during the India tour, is set to pip Rehan Ahmed for the back-up spinner's slot.

In the spin-department, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi are set to make the cut. Selectors are not keen to recall veteran Yuzvendra Chahal despite his riches in IPL 2024.

Despite his stunning IPL 2024 show so far, Jake Fraser-McGurk is likely to miss out in Australia's T20 World Cup squad.

According to a report, Rishabh Pant is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for India at the World Cup, with the likes of Sanju Samson and KL Rahul. Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma are in contention to be the second choice keeper as the BCCI is looking for someone who can bat in the middle-order.

According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, England are likely to recall the experienced Chris Jordan with Chris Woakes missing out. Jordan has played in five World Cups. 

According to the report in PTI, KL Rahul (IPL strike rate of 144 and 378 runs so far) and Sanju Samson (385 runs at a strike rate of 161) are still locked in a battle for the second wicketkeeper's slot. But Indian Express claims that the race is between Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Sharma vs Dhruv Jurel

The final BCCI meeting to decide the squad will happen on Ahmedabad for a specific reason. The BCCI secretary Jay Shah is the convenor of the senior selection committee (men) and with Shah busy with his political commitments, it is understood that the meeting will be held in Ahmedabad.

According to the report in Th Indian Express. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to be the top 4 batters. If that happens, it will mean that both Kohli, who is an opener, and Suryakumar Yadav, a No. 3 for MI, will bat lower down the order than their usual spots.  

According to a report in the PTI, the national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas but the official announcement might happen a day later. The second wicketkeeper's slot and all-rounder Hardik Pandya's place in the side will be the two talking points of the selection meeting.

The report also claims another interesting details and that is the travelling reserves. According to the report, Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel and Khaleel Ahmed will be the four travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and US.

Some very interesting details are in coming in. In a new report by the Indian express, the BCCI are tinkering with the idea of ignoring both KL Rahul and Sanju Samson as the second wicketkeeper. The main reason is they are batting in the top-order in the IPL. And the BCCI wants somebody, like Rishabh Pant, who can bat lower down the order. The report claims that in such a scenario PBKS' Jitesh Sharma or RR's Dhruv Jurel may get a look-in.

Aakash Chopra squad has no Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson. T Natarajana is one of three pacers. Rinku Singh And Shivam Dube both are in. 

According to a report in the Times of India, Tilak Varma may have a faint chance to be considered because the hitting ability of the likes of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have not been on full show in the IPL 2024. However, the report added that the BCCI is intent on going with tried and tested players in marquee event.

There is a crucial new update regarding the composition of the squad. According to a report in the Cricbuzz, there were two main points regarding the squad which will depend on Rohit's call. One is whether to include a fourth pacer, with Hardik Pandya al ready in the squad, and the second whether to pick Shubman Gill or not.   

Yuzvendra Chahal, according to a report in the Cricbuzz, is unlikely to make it to the squad for the T20 World Cup. The rports said that Kulddep Yadav will be the top choice spinner while Axar Patel is ahead in the race with Ravi Boshnoi. Chahal, it says, is unlikely to be considered.

According to a report in the Cricbuzz, Hardik Pandya is going to face a tough fight from Rishabh Pant for the vice-captaincy of the Indian cricket tea,. The report said that some his decisions as MI captain may have dented Pandya's chances. Om the other hand, Pant was India's designated vice-captain before his near-fatal accident.

The question was; "Should Hardik Pandya be picked for T20 World Cup 2024?" Out of 346 respondents, 119 said he should be picked, 60 said he should be picked as there are no other option. 167 thought he should not be picked at all. So, 48.26 per cent fans think he should not be picked. 17.34 percentage respondents thinks he should be picked only because there is not other option. 

NDTV on Sunday did a poll to understand the mood of the fans regarding the inclusion of Hardik Pandya considering the MI captain is not in the best of form. Following are the results: 

Rinku Singh for T20 World Cup is not a certainty either. According to a report in the ESPN cricinfo, there might be a shoot out a single spot between Rinku Singh and a backup fast bowler. That BCCI are adamant on picking tried and tasted big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, means that the finisher is not 100 per cent in.

According to a report in the ESPNCricinfo, the BCCI selectors might have made an exception for speedster Mayank Yadav, despite him having no experience. But his 'injury-prone body' might have prevented from any such thing to happen. So a punt on him will most likely be not taken by the Indian team management.  

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody has expressed his views regarding the place of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the T20 World Cup. 

There isn't long left before the T20 World Cup 2024 squads are out for all the teams. But, there remains some big points of discussion over the Indian team. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar met India captain Rohit Sharma recently but the two reportedly weren't on the same page over all aspects. Time is running out for them to reach a consensus and finalise the 15-member roster.

"It's a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan men's national team in white-ball cricket and to rejoin the international cricket arena after some time. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and aim to contribute positively to the Pakistan men's national team in limited-overs cricket. Kirsten's strategy focuses on prioritizing continuity in team selections, aiming to create a stable and consistent environment that allows players to perform at their best. He believes that maintaining a cohesive unit and building strong team dynamics are essential for the team's success in international competitions," said Kirsten. 

According to ESPNCricinfo, India skipper Rohit Sharma has expressed his wish to include star batter Virat Kohli among the top four batters in the team for the T20 World Cup. Rohit has stated that Kohli's temperament will be a big positive for India in the marquee event. Talking about his stats, Kohli has played a total of 117 T20Is and scored a whopping total of 4037 runs. He has smashed a century and 37 half-centuries in the shortest format. 

The selectors are concerned about Hardik Pandya's fitness as a bowler. The Mumbai Indians skipper is having a mediocre outing both with the bat and ball in the ongoing IPL. A fully-git Hardik is a big asset for India as he can bowl medium pace and also act a aggressive middle-order batter. However, his pace in the ongoing IPL is not upto the mark and he is bowling just two overs in every match. 

According the report of ESPNCricinfo, the selection committee is considering Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson as their first choice wicketkeeper for Team India. This means that in-form Rishabh will come next in line as he is also having a brilliant run in the ongoing IPL. Apart from them, player like Jitesh Sharma has failed to deliver a strong performance and has lost his contention. KL Rahul, who was also a strong contender is currently batting as an opener for Lucknow Super Giants and that position has already been taken by Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. 

The selection committee is currently going through a tough time as they have to select the third opener for India/ If reports are to be believed then star batter Virat Kohli is likely to open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. The selectors now have to make a choice between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. The remaining IPL matches can play a crucial role in their selection. 

The BCCI selectors are facing the problem of plenty while choosing India's squad for the T20 World Cup. The first and foremost issue is while choosing the opening partner for Rohit Sharma between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Apart from this, another problem in front of the selectors is to make a choice between India star Rinku Singh or Chennai Super Kings aggressive batter Shivam Dube. The selectors also have to make a tough choice for the role of the wicketkeeper as there are Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul fighting for that one spot. 

There remain a few points debates and discussions for the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, in consultation with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid have some big calls to make.

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Virat Kohli was in no mood to play defense after seeing his strike-rate being questioned by pundits. The RCB star responded to those doubting his place in India's T20 World Cup squad with a fiery message. The selectors must've also listened to the star batter's sentiments.

Former Australian cricket team captain Aaron Finch selected his India squad where Shubman Gill failed to make the cut as he went ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma's opening partner.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has enjoyed a tremendous run of form in the IPL 2024 till now and he almost added another century to his name. With Jaiswal, Gill, Rohit and Virat being considered as the opening batters, it is unlikely that he will find a place but his performances have surely made him a big contender.