T20 World Cup 2024: India's 15-member team for the T20 World Cup to be held in America and West Indies in June may be announced soon. ICC has given the deadline till May 1 to choose the team, so BCCI can announce the team at the end of this week or early next week.
The poor performance of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya remains a matter of concern while KL Rahul is ahead of Sanju Samson for the second wicketkeeper. When the selectors sit to select the team, they will be faced with the dilemma of choosing additional bowlers. Now it remains to be seen whether in view of the slow pitch, he gives preference to fast bowler Avesh Khan or gives a chance to either Ravi Bishnoi or all-rounder Akshar Patel.
Which Shivam or Hardik?
Hardik Pandya has bowled 17 overs in eight matches in IPL. Till now he has been able to hit only seven sixes. Only 150 runs have come from his bat and his strike rate has been 142. However, there is no alternative to Hardik because Shivam Dubey has not bowled a single over yet.
Shivam is nowhere near Hardik in terms of skill and pace but he is in great form with the bowling, making him impossible to ignore.
Rishabh Pant's game is strong
Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who scored 342 runs at a strike rate of 161 in the IPL, has confirmed his place in the team. There is a tough competition between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson for the second wicketkeeper.
Among the bowlers, it is almost certain that Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will play. Apart from Bumrah and Kuldeep, other bowlers are not in form in IPL, hence the option of additional bowler will be important.
For this there is competition between Avesh, Akshar and Bishnoi. Avesh has taken eight wickets at an economy rate of around nine while Bishnoi has taken five wickets at an economy rate of less than nine. Akshar has taken seven wickets and his economy rate has been around seven. Even in batting, he is scoring runs at a strike rate of 132.