5 tough calls for Indian team selectors for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

All teams have started brainstorming on their squads for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies as the cut-off date of May 1, 2024, is just two days away. In the same line of events, New Zealand have already announced their squad for the T20 WC 2024 in the early hours of April 29, 2024.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the inaugural champions of the T20 World Cup, India as there are plenty of players who have made their case strong for WC selection with their amazing performances in the ongoing IPL 2024.

With that said, here we’ll have a look at 5 tough calls for Indian selectors while selecting the squad for the upcoming prestigious cricket biennial.

Here’s a look at 5 tough calls for selectors for ICC T20 WC 2024:

Who will be the third opener?

Looking at the first sight, the opening pair of India is expected to be the skipper Rohit Sharma and the young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. But there is a big concern about who might be the third option for India to open the innings in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is in brilliant form in the ongoing IPL 2024, while some other young stars are also performing well; so, it might be a headache for the selectors to come up with the perfect third opening option.

Who will be the backup wicketkeeper?

Primarily at the moment, Rishabh Pant is highly expected to be the main wicketkeeping option for India. But there have been a few wicketkeeper-batters who have shown brilliant form in the ongoing IPL 2024. The list includes the likes of LSG skipper KL Rahu, RR skipper Sanju Samson and veteran RCB star, Dinesh Karthik.

This equation might make it trouble for the selectors to choose the perfection option as the backup option for wicketkeeping.

Who will be the finisher?

One of the most talked-about spots in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 is the perfect candidate for the role of finisher. There are a couple of names in contention, including Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma and star KKR batter Rinku Singh.

Dube and Varma are in brilliant batting form in the current IPL while finishing the games for their respective teams. But Rinku hasn’t been very impressive in the current season. So, it will also take a bit longer discussion among the think-tank to pick the finisher.

Who will be an ‘all-rounder’ option?

The star India and MI all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been struggling both with his batting and bowling form in the ongoing IPL 2024. So, there is a question mark on his selection in the India squad for the World Cup. On the other hand, star CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube has been in a brilliant batting form.

But another concern for selectors is that Dube hasn’t bowled much in the ongoing IPL 2024; so, picking an all-rounder will also be a tough task for the selectors.

Who could be the second-strike pacer?

Speaking from India’s point of view, it is only the star pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is a very good form in the current IPL 2024. He has scalped 14 wickets in the 9 innings of the 9 matches he has played. But the big question is who will be the second-strike pacer, alongside him for India from the other end in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The battle is between Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj; the latter has not been in an expected form while playing for RCB in the current edition of the tournament. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh has also had an ‘average’ performance to his name in the IPL 2024.