T20 World Cup 2024: Is Hardik Pandya's inclusion doubtful in the squad?

Hardik Pandya (Pic: File Pic)

As the discussions about India's T20 World Cup 2024 have taken centre stage, there are ongoing discussions over the country's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya's spot in the 15-man squad.

Hardik Pandya's performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 have been underwhelming with the bat as well as the ball. Currently, Mumbai Indians is being led under Pandya's captaincy. The IPL 2024 campaign has been a rollercoaster ride for MI as they are placed in the ninth spot with three wins and six losses under their name.

Featuring nine IPL 2024 games so far, Pandya has accumulated 197 runs with the willow at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of over 151. His best score is 46. He has just bowled 19 overs in the tournament, taking four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.

Apart from Pandya, the discussions have also surrounded the wicketkeeper's slot. Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are the top contenders ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: The race behind the stumps!

Sanju Samson has been in great form with the bat and has displayed decent skills donning the Big Gloves for Rajasthan Royals. He is in the sixth spot in the 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 seventh-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 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'.

On the other hand, Pant is the fourth-highest run-getter, with 398 runs at an average of 44.22, with a strike rate of 158.56 and three half-centuries. His best score is 88'.

Also, the sources said that this tournament could likely mark the final international-level outings for veterans, skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20I format.

Both, Virat and Rohit's recent T20I appearance came in January when they clashed against Afghanistan. Before that, the last outing was in the T20 World Cup 2022 when they faced a 10-wicket loss against England.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Two kids announce NZ's 15-man squad

After this crushing loss, Team India tried youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal etc in the shorter format at the top of the order.

They are two of India's most accomplished T20I batters. Virat is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket. In 117 matches, he has scored 4,037 runs at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138, with a century and 37 fifties in 109 innings. His best score is 122'.

Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, scoring 3,974 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike rate of almost 140. His best score is 121'. He has five centuries and 29 fifties in the format.

With both of these players in the team, some young and promising stars could find themselves in reserves rather than playing eleven.

Also, it is unlikely that star batter Shubman Gill will feature in the playing eleven. His IPL 2024 form has not been at its best, with him getting 320 runs in 10 matches at an average of 35.55 with two half-centuries. He does have 335 runs along with a century and fifty in 14 T20I matches, but he has also scored nine one-digit scores.

Also, the discussions have taken a turn to the middle-order and finisher role for batsman Rinku Singh. As per sources, everyone is in favour of his selection but with Virat around in the squad, his place is doubtful ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

He has scored 123 runs in nine matches in this IPL at an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 150. His best score is 26. For India, he has scored 356 runs in 11 innings at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 176.23, with two half-centuries and best score of 68'.

Also, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has taken 13 wickets so far in IPL 2024 and is a veteran spinner for India as well, has received less support for inclusion as compared to Axar Patel, who gets the advantage due to his all-round abilities, as per sources.

(With ANI Inputs)