India's predicted T20 World Cup 2024's squad as Rohit Sharma's brigade look to end ICC Trophy drought

With the T20 World Cup 2024 starting in June this year, here's how Team India's squad could shape up for the marquee tournament as they they look to end their wait for a ICC trophy.

Abhijeet Kumar Singh

• Fri • 01 Mar 2024

From Left: India's KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in this frame. (Getty)

Highlights:

India are hoping to end their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought in upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to start from June 2.

Rohit Sharma-led Team India would be looking to end their eleven year wait for an ICC Trophy by winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) jointly. Notably, the tournament is slated to be played from June 2 to June 29.

In the last ICC tournament, the Indian team almost lifted the World Cup title in 2023 after a brilliant campaign, with ten consecutive wins until they lost to Australia in the summit clash in Ahmedabad.

Notably, in the group stages of the T20 World Cup 2024, India will face Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the co-hosting nation, USA. Jay Shah recently confirmed that Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2024. Also, Hardik Pandya will act as Rohit Sharma's deputy in the showpiece event.

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Let's have a look at India's predicted 15-member squad for upcoming T20 World Cup 2024:

Openers: Rohit Sharma (c) , Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill

India could go with three opening batters for the tournament with Rohit Sharma being the obvious choice as he will also lead the team. The last few T20 World Cups for Sharma have been underwhelming, but Rohit has been one of the best openers in the shortest format and a great captain, also winning five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles for the Mumbai Indians. Along with the captain, India would look to include both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the squad. Jaiswal has had a very impressive T20 career and is known for his aggressive intent in the powerplay. Gill would also definitely be in the squad after his blockbuster IPL 2023 season where he scored 890 runs.

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Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh

Virat Kohli has to be the biggest match winner India has ever produced in T20 cricket. His performances in the T20 World Cup, being the leading run-scorer three times in the tournament and winning two Player of the Tournament awards, have shown why he will be a part of the squad. Kohli would also be an important player, as on the sluggish pitches of the Caribbean, an anchor would be needed, and there is no one better than Kohli. Suryakumar Yadav is the number one T20 batter in the world currently, and he would be India's most important batter. His wide range of shots and ability to score big runs would be really crucial for India. Rinku Singh would also definitely be in the squad as he is a proper finisher and has performed brilliantly for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The opportunities he has got for India, his cool approach, and finishing abilities will be really crucial for the tournament.

Wicket Keeper: KL Rahul/Jitesh Sharma

The wicketkeeper's position would be in question and can only be answered during the IPL. India has many options, including Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Jitesh Sharma. However, Jitesh Sharma could be a good option due to his finishing abilities and intent, which might come handy for India. He has also been backed by the management in recent times as he played T20s against Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan. However, if Rahul or Samson have a great IPL, they could also make it to the squad.

All Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel

India have three good all-round options for the T20 World Cup 2024 with Hardik Pandya, who would be the seam-bowling all-rounder for India and has performed brilliantly with both bat and ball for the Men in Blue in the shortest format of the game. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel would both be the spin-bowling all-rounders and would be really important on the sluggish wickets of the Caribbean, also adding batting depth to the playing eleven.

Spinners: Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav

Both Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav will be really vital with the ball during the World Cup, and both of them have really impressive records in the shortest form of the game. In their short careers, Bishnoi has really impressed everyone by being an aggressive wicket-taker, and Kuldeep Yadav has also been bowling brilliantly in the shortest format, taking a five-wicket haul recently, also against South Africa.

Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best T20 bowlers of all time and would be India's most lethal weapon in the T20 World Cup as his ability to bowl well in the powerplay and death overs would be really crucial, making him the difference-maker. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh would be really good options, with Siraj being absolutely phenomenal in the powerplay and Arshdeep having given a brilliant performance in last year's edition. This could be India's probable squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.