T20 World Cup 2024: 6 major concerns for Team India before tournament begins

Team India set to participate in the T20 World Cup 2024

It has been 17 years since India won the inaugural edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, kick-starting a new era for cricket in spectacular fashion. But a second title in the format India has shaped more than any other (thanks largely to the IPL) has eluded the Men in Blue ever since. With the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the US less than a month away, here are the major concerns before Team India just ahead of the tournament.

1. Who should be Rohit Sharma’s opening partner?

In T20 cricket, maximizing deliveries for your top batsmen is crucial. With this strategy in mind, India should strongly consider opening their innings with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, seems destined for one end, it's likely that Yashasvi Jaiswal will join him at the top, with Kohli maintaining his stronghold at number three, a position he's dominated for the past decade.

Despite Kohli's limited appearances as an opener in T20Is (just nine times), he boasts an impressive average of 57.14 and a striking rate of 161.29. For the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, Kohli has been a mainstay at the top for nearly a decade, amassing more runs than anyone else in that role. Notably, Kohli's only T20I century for India came when he opened the innings.

Considering the expected slower pitches, especially in the US, the partnership of Rohit and Kohli offers a blend of experience and skill. However, it lacks the left-handed element that Jaiswal brings to the mix.

2. Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh’s absence from the team

The omission of Shubman Gill, the top run-scorer in IPL 2023, may seem surprising initially, but comparing his T20 acceleration rates to Jaiswal's sheds light on the decision. Despite neither Gill nor Jaiswal setting the IPL on fire this year, the absence of Rinku Singh is even more conspicuous. With an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176 in his 11 T20I innings for India, Rinku's versatility in positions and ability to smash sixes at will make his absence felt, especially in high-scoring chases akin to many IPL encounters. If both Rohit and Virat had retired from T20 cricket, Gill and Rinku would undoubtedly have made the squad. Time will tell if the transition in leadership has been delayed.

3. Will SKY be able to justify his place in the team?

It seems ludicrous not to include the world's top-ranked men's T20I batter in the World Cup squad. Suryakumar Yadav currently holds a commanding lead of 59 points over the second-placed Phil Salt in the latest rankings. However, despite his remarkable century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, SKY's form has been inconsistent. Furthermore, the haunting memories of last year's 50-over World Cup, particularly the final where SKY struggled against the Australian attack, still linger. If India opts to open with Jaiswal and Rohit, SKY may face increased pressure as he's likely to receive fewer deliveries to settle in, with Kohli slated to bat at number three. Nonetheless, if the 33-year-old finds his rhythm, he remains India's most formidable match-winner with the bat. However, he is yet to produce a defining moment for India in an ICC tournament.

4. Just three pace bowlers in the team?

By including four spinners in their 16-member squad, India has allocated just three slots for pacers, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh leading the pace attack. This suggests that India is banking on Hardik Pandya to be fully fit and capable of bowling his full quota of four overs in every match. However, considering Pandya's injury history, is this expectation too demanding for the vice-captain? While Pandya has been bowling consistently for the Mumbai Indians (MI) and has completed his overs in multiple matches, it's evident that he has lost some of his pace, bounce, and form with the ball. As the action moves to the Caribbean, relying solely on Pandya's bowling could backfire, unless India can utilize Shivam Dube to bowl some overs or opt for a starting lineup featuring all three frontline pacers.

5. Tussle on the spin combination to go with?

Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal are the four spinners selected by India, with the latter finally earning his comeback for the Men in Blue. The question arises: which of these spinners will secure starting spots in most games for India? Jadeja and Axar's proficiency with the bat makes them strong contenders for starting positions, while Kuldeep, based on his recent form for India, holds a slight edge over Chahal in the pecking order.

Since all of India's group stage matches are scheduled during daylight without any dew factor, it's plausible to see both Kuldeep and Chahal featuring simultaneously. However, as the knockout stages commence, Chahal might find himself sidelined, primarily due to his weaker fielding skills compared to the other three spinners. Nevertheless, if the opposing team consists mostly of right-handed batsmen, Chahal's inclusion could be reconsidered.

6. Can India break the knockout jinx?

After the heartbreak of 2023, one question looms large: Can India reclaim their dominance in ICC tournaments? Since clinching the ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2013, India's journey has been marked by five final losses and four semi-final exits. Despite consistently fielding a well-balanced squad, doubts persist: Do they have their best starting lineup? Can they maintain composure under pressure? Will they hit their peak when it matters most? These uncertainties were rare during the reign of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's most successful white-ball captain. With Dhoni's departure, India's once unshakable confidence on the grandest stage has waned. Will 2024 bring a change in fortune? Only time will reveal.