T20 WC Squad: Gavaskar Says Selectors Have "Eye On" Youngster With 170+ SR

Amidst the IPL 2024 action, there is a great intrigue over India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. The squad is expected to be announced by the end of April, with the deadline for naming it being May 1. India have not won any ICC trophy since 2013, and the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies is a massive chance for the Rohit Sharma-led side to change that record. When it comes to T20s, there has been an increasing call to induct young blood and players who can be fearless in the format.

Keeping that in mind, it will be interesting to see who gets picked for the squad.

Riyan Parag is one of the players who is in focus with a stellar display in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals player has scored three half-centuries in his last four matches, including one on Wednesday against Gujarat Titans. In his last 15 T20 innings Parag has scored 10 fifties (771 runs, average 90, 170.7 strike-rate).

“He is somebody that the selection committee has kept an eye on. All he needs to do is keep playing,” Sunil Gavaskar said about Riyan Parag in Star Sports’ mid-innings discussion.

Riyan Parag in the last 15 T20 innings:

45 (19), 61(34), 76*(37), 53*(29), 77(39), 72(36), 57*(33), 50*(31), 12(10), 8(10), 43(29), 84*(45), 54*(39), 4(4), 76(48).

– 771 runs at an average of 90 and 170.7 Strike Rate. pic.twitter.com/jxjF1QTZCD

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 10, 2024

Not much time is left before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finalises the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. There remains a debate over a number of players in the team, including the talismanic Rohit Shrama. The wicket-keeper’s spot is also wide open, with a number of players competing for the spot. Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, however, has a concrete idea about the batting unit he wishes to see in the Indian team.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prasad advocated the inclusion of lesser-experienced stars like Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav while also asserting the importance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team. It’s only the wicket-keeper’s spot that Prasad isn’t clear about.

“Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC. With Virat and Rohit, this will leave a spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out,” he posted on social media.

It’s interesting to see that Prasad didn’t mention the names of Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in the batting unit.