India squad for T20 World Cup: Sanju Samson pips KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya named vice-captain

The Senior Selection Committee on Tuesday picked India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 to be played in the West Indies and United States of America starting in June.

In a battle for the second wicket-keeper, Sanju Samson has pipped KL Rahul, while Rishabh Pant has made a comeback to the Indian team after almost fifteen months. The wicketkeeper-batter has been out of cricket since his horrific car accident in December 2022.

Samson has accumulated 385 runs so far in this IPL at a strike-rate of 161.09, and has come across as a transformed T20 batsman. Having blown hot and cold in the past, he has been more consistent with his batting and in a side that is devoid of power-hitters, Samson’s presence could benefit India in the middle-order.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya was retained as vice-captain despite his poor recent form after taking over Mumbai Indians leadership in the ongoing IPL.

However, Shubman Gill, who is not having a good run in the IPL as Gujarat Titans captain, found himself among the standbys along with Kolkata Knight Riders’ big-hitter Rinku Singh.

India will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 09 at the same venue. India will then play USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.

Squad

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.

Reserves

Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 – India’s Fixtures (Group A matches)

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