The deadline for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement is nearing with only days left now. India are yet to announce their squad although there has been continued speculations amidst the ongoing IPL 2024 about who will make the flight for USA and West Indies in June. The IPL performance of a group of cricketers and induced the feeling more amidst fans, experts and former cricketers like. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and India captain Rohit Sharma already had their meeting, and it is now upto the selectors to meet and finalise the names for the squad. Amidst this,reports have suggested that Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant are top candidates to be named vice-captain in the squad.  ICC T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand, South Africa Unveil Jerseys Ahead of Mega Cricket Tournament.

According to Cricbuzz, The national selectors, who are likely to meet on May 1, are expected to consider re-appointing Pant as vice-captain of India, a position he had held before being forced into a long injury hiatus after a near-fatal accident in December 2022. Pant had even captained India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. For the record, he will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup in June.

However, an elevation for Pant is not going to be a straightforward decision, especially with Hardik Pandya being another potential contender. What could be tilting the scales in favour of the Delhi Capitals skipper is Pandya's failure to galvanise the Mumbai Indians side in the IPL. Some of his questionable decisions as captain and his public criticism of a teammate after a recent defeat are unlikely to have gone unnoticed. New Zealand Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Announced: Kane Williamson To Lead Charge.

Cricbuzz has also suggested, among other selection issues, the top order will consist of skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will feature Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. One or both of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh will be there, along with either Sanju Samson or KL Rahul. Kuldeep Yadav will occupy the specialist spinner's position, and Axar Patel may edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the other spinner's position. It is unlikely that Yuzvendra Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in the IPL, will be considered.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 29, 2024 06:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).