Race Against Time: Speculation Builds on India’s T20 World Cup Squad Selection

India has until May 1 to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which begins on June 2. With the deadline fast approaching, speculation about who will make it onto the team is intensifying. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) only has a few days left to finalize the list of 15 players.

Former cricketers have weighed in on their opinions for who should be selected for the tournament. Irfan Pathan believes that five strong bowlers are crucial, including two wrist spinners like Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav. He also emphasized the importance of fielding skills and named Jasprit Bumrah as a must-have in the team.

According to PTI sources, most of the team has already been decided, with only a few positions left to fill. The selectors and team managers are evaluating Hardik Pandya’s fitness for bowling and discussing potential selections for Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as wicketkeepers. Shivam Dube is also likely to be included in the squad.

A BCCI selection committee source revealed that Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are being considered as wicketkeepers, with Shivam Dube also on radar for selection. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma are expected to have an informal discussion in Delhi about the final 15-person team before making an official announcement in Mumbai on May 1, which is the ICC deadline for such announcements.