The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked discussions about India’s wicketkeeper-batsman selection, with head coach Rahul Dravid highlighting the options. Jitesh Sharma, known for his solid performances in nine matches, is currently a frontrunner for the position. However, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul are also in contention.
Kishan, initially part of India’s squad for all formats against South Africa, withdrew due to mental fatigue, raising questions about his availability. Dravid, addressing the issue, mentioned that the selectors have several options to consider before finalizing the squad for the World Cup.
“We’ve got quite a few keeping options. We saw a couple of guys in this series, whether it is Sanju, or Jitesh. You speak about Rahul, there is Ishan, Rishabh… all of them are in the mix. We just have to see how things pan out in the course of next few months and then we can take a call what’s the best way to go,” said Dravid after India’s thrilling win in the final T20I in Bengaluru.
Despite rumors suggesting Kishan’s omission from the Afghanistan T20I series due to disciplinary reasons, Dravid clarified that the decision was due to the cricketer’s unavailability. Kishan’s absence from Ranji games for Jharkhand and his exclusion from the squad for the first two Tests against England further fueled speculation about his status.
Meanwhile, Pant, recuperating from a car accident, is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His return to the pitch during IPL 2024 will determine his readiness for international cricket.
With just five months until the T20 World Cup, the selectors face a challenging task of selecting the final squad from India’s pool of talented players.
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