Team India Gears Up For T20 World Cup Departure On May 21, Backs Rishabh Pant As Primary Wicketkeeper: Reports

The Indian cricket selectors , in collaboration with the team management, have been diligently crafting a formidable squad of fifteen players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. With the deadline looming on May 1st for submitting provisional squads to the International Cricket Council (ICC), speculation is rife that the Ajit Agarkar-led committee will unveil the roster as early as Wednesday, as per various media reports.

As per the Times of India, the Indian contingent is scheduled to depart for the World Cup on May 21st, comprising players who would have concluded their commitments in the IPL by then. However, several critical issues reportedly demand attention before BCCI Secretary Jay Shah formally unveils the list of cricketers bound for the prestigious ICC event in the West.

Agarkar's Delhi Sojourn
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently made a trip to the national capital to witness the IPL 2024 clash between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. Dainik Jagan reported an informal tête-à-tête between Agarkar and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma regarding the team's composition.

Selectors Grapple with Bowling Conundrum
Drawing from performances in the ongoing IPL as a yardstick for selection, the selectors and team management find themselves grappling with the task of assembling a potent pace attack for the World Cup. While Jasprit Bumrah continues to operate in a league of his own, the form of Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh has left much to be desired. Despite both bowlers leaking runs at an economy rate exceeding 9, the latter boasts a higher tally of wickets in the league.

“The team management wants to trust the players it has groomed. There are concerns about Siraj and Arshdeep going for so many runs but one has to look at the context,” remarked a source cited by the TOI.

“Jasprit Bumrah is a different class. The others should not be compared with him. There won’t be an ‘impact player’ rule in the World Cup. Axar Patel, for example, has been exemplary with his economy rate,” the source elaborated.

Battle for the Second Wicketkeeper Slot
The report further indicates that selectors are deliberating between Sanju Samson and KL Rahul for the role of the second wicketkeeper, with Rishabh Pant ostensibly occupying the primary position. In the event of Shubman Gill's exclusion, Rahul appears poised to edge out Samson, notwithstanding the latter's stellar showing in the IPL 2024 season.