Why India's T20 World Cup Squad Sends Mixed Messages

Regarded as the top team, the India National Team arrives in the T20 World Cup as one of the front-runners. Followers and pundits expect a remarkable performance at a minimum from the Indian team in the competition which spans over four weeks in the United States and West Indies. High hopes increase the already high pressure from expectations of aficionados.

Even though India had to overcome major challenges on the way to winning the First World Cup back in 2007, they struggled to replicate the same deed. Even having all the ingredients such as talent, influence, connections and a big purse did not help India achieve its long-awaited titles. India has not secured an International Cricket Council (ICC) title since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Under the leadership of three distinguished captains—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni—while being managed by highly esteemed coaches like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri, India failed in getting a hold of these regarded titles. Last year, the team suffered losses in the finals of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, each time to Australia.

Can India overcome the cycle?

Since its launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a crucial role in assessing player performance and shaping team selections for both T20 and 50-over ODI World Cups. The high-pressure environment of the IPL challenges players' skills and mental fortitude. However, the selection of the Indian squad for the World Cup based on IPL 2024 performances sends mixed signals, as none of the players from the IPL final are included in the main squad.

Rinku Singh from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is among the travelling reserves instead of being part of the main squad of 15. Similarly, Shubman Gill considered a rising star in Indian cricket for the past two years, is also in the reserves. Despite being the top run-scorers in IPL 2024, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Riyan Parag are not included in the reserves. Gaikwad, who led India in the Asian Games last year, and leading wicket-takers Harshal Patel and Varun Chakravarthy from India's 2022 T20 World Cup squad have been overlooked. This selection process, featuring several players based on IPL 2024 performances and notable omissions, raises questions about the criteria used.

Key performers in the IPL included Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Kohli responded to mid-tournament criticism about his strike rate with outstanding batting, reaffirming his status as the world's premier all-format batsman. Bumrah, while not the leading wicket-taker, was the most feared bowler, maintaining an economy rate of under seven runs per over. His exceptional skills and ability to take crucial wickets made him a dominant force despite his franchise finishing last. With successes in the ODI World Cup and a stellar Test series against England, Bumrah is regarded as a top contemporary fast bowler.

Rishabh Pant is the only other player in the squad on par with Kohli and Bumrah. His inclusion is not just for his IPL 2024 statistics but for his remarkable comeback to elite cricket after a near-fatal injury that sidelined him for almost 18 months. Pant's dynamic and inventive batting, which has won many matches for India, has reemerged, promising a positive impact on the World Cup. Just below him is Shivam Dube, who had a breakout IPL season that captured the selectors' attention.

Beyond these players, the Indian squad's strength begins to diminish. Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal (making a comeback) performed adequately in IPL 2024 but did not stand out. Others like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh had only moderate success. Mohammed Siraj, the primary pace support to Bumrah, struggled throughout the season. The performance of the drop-in pitches imported from Australia will be a crucial factor for all teams in the World Cup.

Despite the inconsistent form of several star players, India's selectors have largely succeeded in addressing most contingencies, thanks to the depth of talent in Indian cricket. The IPL serves as a vital platform for Indian cricketers and a convergence point for top global T20 talent (excluding Pakistan), meaning the Indian squad will face many players who excelled in this IPL season and are well-prepared to shine for their respective national teams.

Key title contenders include defending champions England, two-time winners West Indies (benefiting from home advantage), and Australia, who have shown unwavering determination over the past year. In the last eight editions of the World Cup, six different countries have emerged as champions, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This underscores that past reputation holds little weight in this format. Resilient teams like Afghanistan, as demonstrated in the ODI World Cup, have the potential to upset more experienced sides in white-ball cricket. No one can predict the future triumphant of the competition, as all teams must perform at their peak.

India was drawn into the same group as Pakistan in the league stage. The match between these arch-rivals on June 9 is billed as the "biggest-ever" in cricket history, expected to attract a global viewership exceeding two billion. Neither team wants to lose, but India, who have had the upper hand in ICC tournaments (ODI and T20) over the years, must aim beyond just winning this contest. Beating Pakistan will be just a stepping stone; true redemption lies in winning the World Cup.

Concerning Issue

The Indian bowling attack, on paper, seems to lack variety and cutting edge with three left-arm spinners and an uncertain pace lineup that includes newcomers Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan in the reserves. A major concern is the poor IPL form of captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya. Their involvement in a captaincy transition controversy at Mumbai Indians has raised questions, potentially affecting team morale. Rohit's explosive opening batting is critical to India's success, as seen in the ODI World Cup. Similarly, Pandya's all-around skills as a finisher, pace bowler, and exceptional fielder are vital. Without Pandya performing at his best, the team's balance is disrupted.

Nevertheless, India's selectors have largely succeeded in addressing all requirements and contingencies, thanks to the wealth of talent in Indian cricket, despite the fluctuating form of several star players.

The IPL serves as a crucial stage for Indian players and a gathering point for top T20 talent worldwide (excluding Pakistan). Consequently, the Indian team will face numerous players who excelled in this IPL season and are ready to shine for their national teams.

Potential Winners

Defending champions England twice champions West Indies (with home advantage), and Australia, who have shown relentless pursuit over the past year, are key contenders for the title. In the last eight editions of the World Cup, six different countries have emerged as champions, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This underscores that past reputation holds little weight in this format. Determined teams like Afghanistan, as demonstrated in the ODI World Cup, can upset more experienced sides in white-ball cricket. Predicting a winner for this World Cup is not only risky but outright imprudent. All teams must be at their peak performance.

India's Warm-Up Game 

Team India is gearing up for their sole warm-up match before the 2024 T20 World Cup, set to take place on Saturday against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The last time India played an international T20 match was in January this year during the home series against Afghanistan, after which players joined their respective IPL 2024 campaigns. In preparation for the warm-up game, India held two practice sessions and an optional training day on Friday, focusing on tail-end batting and intense bowling drills for Hardik Pandya. 

Notably, Virat Kohli did not participate in any of the practice sessions as he arrived in New York on Friday night, having reportedly extended his break following IPL 2024. It remains uncertain whether Kohli will feature in the warm-up game against Bangladesh. This match marks India's debut at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where they will play three of their four group-stage matches in the T20 World Cup. Captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will be keen to evaluate the pitch conditions ahead of their opener against Ireland on June 5, followed by the highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9.