T20 World Cup 2024: Team India set to leave for the tournament on...

The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, and the Indian team management are working to finalize a balanced squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly confirmed the players' departure date for the ICC tournament.

The Men in Blue are placed with Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the United States of America (USA) in Group A. India will play all of their four league stage matches in the USA. Veteran opener Rohit Sharma is set to lead the team, hoping to end their ICC trophy drought in the competition.

The Indian team hasn't clinched the T20 World Cup since winning the inaugural edition in 2007. They reached the final in the 2024 edition but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Sri Lanka in Dhaka. The team reached the semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to advance to the summit clash.

Ajit Agarkar attended the IPL 2024 match between the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. He had an informal discussion with Rohit Sharma regarding the team. As per a Times of India report, the team will depart for the World Cup on May 21, comprising players not involved in the IPL play-offs.

KL Rahul Favored Over Sanju Samson - Report

The report further stated that the selectors are considering Sanju Samson and KL Rahul for the second wicketkeeper-batsman slot, with Rishabh Pant as the preferred choice. Rishabh Pant, leading the Delhi Capitals, has shown his batting prowess in the ongoing t20 tournament.

Despite Samson's impressive season with the Rajasthan Royals, Rahul might be picked for the second wicketkeeper batter role. Sanju is currently the fourth-highest leading run-getter, scoring 385 runs in 9 games at an impressive average of 77.00 and an outstanding strike rate of 177.00.

Team Management Wants To Trust The Players It Has Groomed

With Mohammed Shami sidelined due to injury, India's seam bowling department faces uncertainty. The management opts to support Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, despite worries about their economy rates.

"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. In these matches, you have to think about defending the target set by your team-even if you do it by 10 runs. Jasprit Bumrah is different class. The others should not be compared with him. There won't be 'impact player' rule in the World Cup. Axar Patel, for example, has been exemplary with his economy rate," the source told TOI.

India schedule for the T20 World Cup 2024

Also read: New Zealand T20 World Cup Squad 2024 announced; Kane Williamson to lead the side