In a crucial turn of events ahead of the T20 World Cup squad selection, discussions are rife regarding the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya based on his performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated that Pandya’s T20 World Cup ticket hinges significantly on his IPL form.
Currently leading the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, Pandya has faced a challenging season. MI finds itself at the bottom half of the table, positioned at the ninth spot with three wins and six losses. Pandya’s individual performance has also been under scrutiny, having scored just 197 runs in nine games at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate exceeding 151. While his best score is 46, Pandya has bowled only 19 overs in the tournament, claiming four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.
Amidst this scrutiny, the wicketkeeper’s slot for the T20 World Cup squad is also a topic of discussion. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are reportedly leading the race, with Pant and Rahul holding an advantage over Rajasthan Royals‘ skipper Sanju Samson. Samson, however, has been performing exceptionally well in IPL 2024, currently sitting at the sixth spot in the run charts with 385 runs at an average of 77.00 and a strike rate of 161.08, including four half-centuries and a best score of 82*.
Additionally, speculations suggest that the upcoming T20 World Cup could mark the final international T20I outing for veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players returned to the T20I set-up in January 2024 against Afghanistan, with their previous T20I appearance preceding the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss to England. With these seasoned players in the mix, promising young talents might find themselves in the reserves rather than the playing eleven.
However, certain players, like Shubman Gill, are unlikely to feature prominently in the playing eleven. Despite scoring 320 runs in 10 IPL 2024 matches at an average of 35.55 with two half-centuries, Gill’s form has not been consistent, as evidenced by his nine single-digit scores.
The selection dilemma extends to players like Rinku Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal. While Singh has scored 123 runs in nine IPL 2024 matches at an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 150, his inclusion is uncertain due to the presence of Virat Kohli in the team. Chahal, on the other hand, has taken 13 wickets in IPL 2024 but faces competition from Axar Patel, who is favored for his all-round abilities.
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