Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors likely to discuss T20 World Cup squad on Tuesday

New Delhi: The selection for India’s squad for the upcoming World Cup is likely to be discussed on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, Gujarat according to sources.

The BCCI selectors are currently in Ahmedabad and will discuss the 15-player squad for the marquee event which will begin on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies on Tuesday. All teams have to submit their 15-player squad till May 1.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson is likely to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the tournament.

Rishabh Pant, who made his return to competitive cricket this IPL after a car accident in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul and Mumbai Indians (MI) star Ishan Kishan are other players in contention for the spot primary keeper-batter for the tournament.

Samson is outdoing his competition, sitting at the fourth spot in the IPL 2024 run charts with 385 runs at an average of 77.00 and a strike rate of 161.08, with four half-centuries. His best score is 82*.

Rahul is the fifth-highest run-scorer this season, with 378 runs at an average of 42.00 and four half-centuries, though his strike rate of around 144 is quite low as compared to other compatriots. Pant is the sixth-highest run-getter with 371 runs in 10 matches at an average of 46.37 and a strike rate of 160.60, with three fifties. His best score is 88*.

Kishan, who does not have a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contract, has struggled with just 212 runs in nine games at an average of 23.55 and a half-century, but his strike rate of 165.62 is the best among the contenders.

IPL form is not expected to play a huge role in the team selection. The management and selectors are believed to be excited about LSG pace sensation Mayank Yadav’s pace and control, but he is nursing an injury and that may likely put an end to possibility of his getting a T20 World Cup berth.

The top four had been more or less decided before the IPL, with skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal set to open, Virat Kohli at number three and number one-ranked T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav at number four.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is battling with Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh. As per ESPNCricinfo, his bowling fitness during MI’s matches is a concern. He bowls mostly two overs per match for his franchise in the IPL and has done very little in the league as a performer.

If India were to take Shivam Dube and Rinku to the WC, they will have to leave out either a back-up keeper or a back-up bowler. It would most likely be a choice between Rinku and a back-up pacer. (ANI)

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