The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made an official announcement on Tuesday, September 5th, unveiling the 15-player squad that will represent the nation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The responsibility of leading this talented group falls upon the shoulders of Rohit Sharma, with Hardik Pandya serving as his deputy.
In a significant development, KL Rahul has secured a spot in the squad, proving his fitness ahead of the crucial World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai on October 8th. Rahul had encountered a thigh injury earlier in the year during the IPL, but his dedication and hard work at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru paid off as he successfully cleared his fitness tests. Rahul has now joined his fellow Indian teammates in Sri Lanka, where they are gearing up for a Super 4 clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
While KL Rahul’s inclusion brought joy to many fans, it resulted in disappointment for Sanju Samson, who narrowly missed the cut. The team also decided not to include Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna.
India’s batting lineup is led by Captain Rohit Sharma, with the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav adding depth to the batting department. Ishan Kishan, who offers an additional wicketkeeping option, is also part of the squad. The team management has put an emphasis on versatile all-rounders by including Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur, providing ample choices in the batting department.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, who showed no signs of injury upon his return, will lead the pace attack, supported by the experienced duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. Kuldeep Yadav is set to be the team’s primary spin option.
India 15-player squad
The 15-player Indian squad for the T20 World Cup comprises Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Teams have until September 28th to make any alterations to their squads, with any changes after this date subject to approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Excitement is building as fans eagerly anticipate India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup.