Former World No. 1 Bowler Likely To Be Picked Over Chahal In India's T20 World Cup 2024 Squad – Report

Lucknow Super Giants spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who reached the No. 1 position in the T20I rankings last year after an impressive show against Australia in the five-match T20I series, is likely to be picked in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad as the third spinner after Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. The 23-year-old Bishnoi, who has picked up 36 wickets in 24 T20Is for India since making his debut on February 16, 2022, is set to get preferred over Chahal, who is the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is as well as the highest wicket-taker in the IPL.

According to a report in the Indian Express, selectors are not keen on going back to Chahal, who has picked up 13 wickets in nine IPL 2024 matches for the Rajasthan Royals. The 33-year-old hasn’t played any T20 World Cup matches for India in the past as well. In his absence, Bishnoi will get picked. Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel, who was also in contention, is more likely to be part of the travelling reserves along with Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, and Khaleel Ahmed.

The report also added that due to Shivam Dube’s selection in the 15-member squad, India will most likely take only three fast bowlers—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh—for the 20-team megaevent starting on June 1.

As for the wicketkeeper-batsman’s role, Rishabh Pant is all set to get picked, and there’s a three-way fight between Sanju Samson, Dhurv Jurel, and Jitesh Sharma for his back-up. While Samson has impressed with his batting in the ongoing IPL 2024, the same can’t be said about Jitesh and Jurel, but since Indian team management has made a request for a wicketkeeper who could slot in the lower order due to a top-heavy batting line-up, the doors for Jurel and Jitesh have opened up.