The ongoing IPL 2024 season is not just about the thrilling matches but also serves as an audition for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup squad selection. With reports suggesting that India’s T20 World Cup squad will be finalized by the end of April, players like Shubman Gill are under the spotlight for their performances. Gain insights from Simon Doull on the potential inclusion of a star Indian batter in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Gill, who was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023, made a strong statement in the 17th season of the league with a brilliant unbeaten knock of 89 runs, albeit in a losing cause against Punjab Kings. Despite this performance, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull believes that Gill doesn’t fit into the T20 World Cup squad.
Doull sent a surprising piece of advice to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, suggesting that Gill shouldn’t be picked ahead of players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Doull emphasized the importance of having players like KL Rahul, who can also keep wickets, in the squad, providing a “real bonus” for the team management in terms of flexibility.
“He’s got a, you know, I mean, that spot up the top when you take in a World Cup 15. It should be 18 in my opinion. But when you’re taking that side and you’re picking it, you really only carry one extra top-order batter. You’ve probably only room for one top-order replacement batter if it happens to be someone like KL Rahul, who can keep wickets for you. And that is a real bonus. That top-order replacement batter, he keeps, Shubman doesn’t keep. And if he can’t make the side ahead of Jaiswal, Rohit and Virat at the moment, he probably doesn’t go,” he explained.
Simon Doull Talks about Gill’s Inclusion in World Cup Squad
“Gill’s direct competition for the spot in the T20 World Cup team is against Yashasvi Jaiswal, who not only brings the left-handed factor at the top of the line-up but also has the ability to go after the opposition attack from ball one,” Doull explained. Jaiswal has shown impressive form in T20Is, scoring 502 runs in 16 innings since his debut, including a season in IPL 2023 where he scored 625 runs.
While Gill has proven his abilities in the IPL and domestic cricket, the final squad composition will depend on various factors, including team balance and specific roles players can fulfill.
With more IPL matches to be played before the squad announcement, players like Gill will have further opportunities to stake their claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. As the deadline approaches, the selectors will have to weigh their options carefully to assemble a squad capable of achieving success in the tournament.
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