India's T20 World Cup Squad 2024: Complete Team Lineup and SWOT Analysis

India has unveiled their 15-player squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 on April 30, 2024. Leading the T20 World Cup Squad India 2024, Rohit Sharma will captain the team in their pursuit of long-awaited glory.

Before the official announcement, there was much speculation about the wicketkeeper selection, with many contenders in the running. Ultimately, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson were chosen to take on the wicketkeeping duties. This squad marks Pant's return to international cricket after a near-fatal accident in December 2022 that sidelined him for over a year.

Team India last played a T20I game against Afghanistan in January, where they needed a super over to defend 212 runs in Bengaluru. Despite this tight finish, the Men in Blue hold the top spot in the current ICC T20I team rankings and are strong contenders for the title in the upcoming 20-team tournament.

With the squad finalized, players are gearing up with a training camp in New York. Let's take a closer look at Team India's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Promising young talents like Yashaswi Jaiswal, an impressive opener, have secured their spots, adding a new dynamic to the batting lineup. Yuzvendra Chahal makes a well-deserved return to the spin department, while Shivam Dube earns his first World Cup call-up. The wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, with Hardik Pandya stepping in as the team's vice-captain.

Axar Patel joins forces with Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja to bolster the spin attack. The pace attack is led by the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. This balanced and versatile squad promises an exciting campaign for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Analysing India’s T20 World Cup Squad 2024 (SWOT Analysis)

Strength: Kohli and Rohit to Lead India's Batting Charge

The majority of the selected players, particularly the batters, showcased outstanding form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, positioning Team India's batting lineup as their biggest strength for the upcoming World Cup. Virat Kohli emerged as the top run-scorer, continuing his excellent performance in white-ball cricket. Notably, Kohli adapted his approach in IPL 2024 by maintaining a strike rate above 150 and hitting the second-highest 38 sixes.

Kohli's impressive form has led many to suggest that he should open the batting with captain Rohit Sharma at the World Cup. Although Rohit struggled with consistency in IPL 2024, he still finished as the leading run-scorer for the Mumbai Indians. Together, Rohit and Kohli will lead a formidable batting lineup that includes the world’s no.1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav, the in-form wicketkeeper-batters Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, and the young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Weaknesses: Lack of Consistency & Team Experience  

Despite strong performances in the IPL 2024, none of the selected players reached the tournament final and struggled with consistency following their selection for the World Cup. Shivam Dube showcased impressive hitting skills in the first half of the season but managed only 46 runs in his last five innings in May. With Hardik Pandya returning to the T20I setup, Dube's role as a middle-order batter or finisher remains uncertain.

Dube's inconsistent form and the lack of finishers in the squad could be an early concern for the management. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja did not deliver convincing finishing performances in the recent IPL 2024, which could be problematic if the top order fails to deliver.

Another weakness is the lack of recent international cricket experience. India's last T20I series was against Afghanistan in January, with only one warm-up game scheduled against Bangladesh on June 1. While all selected players were active in the IPL, they haven't played together as a unit for some time, which might impact team cohesion heading into the World Cup.

Opportunities: Balanced Indian side make them Title Contenders

India's squad for the World Cup is a well-balanced mix of experience and potential. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who excelled in red-ball cricket during the England series, now has the chance to make a significant impact in white-ball cricket as well.

A key decision for Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid will be choosing between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeping role. Both impressed in the recent IPL, but Samson's slightly better stats might give him the edge.

Samson and Shivam Dube are set to make their World Cup debuts, presenting a perfect opportunity to shine and solidify their places in the Indian team. Both players demonstrated their adaptability and mature batting skills in IPL 2024, and they will be eager to carry that momentum into the World Cup.

Threats: India’s multifaceted bowling attack

India's bowling squad for the World Cup has raised eyebrows, with the management opting for only three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, complemented by four strong spin options.

Bumrah excelled in the IPL 2024, claiming 20 wickets in 13 innings with an impressive economy rate of 6.48. Despite his efforts, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom, but his performance reassured Indian cricket fans as they head into the ICC tournament. Arshdeep Singh took 19 wickets, albeit with an economy rate exceeding 10, and Siraj secured 15 wickets in 14 innings.

India's fortunes heavily depend on Bumrah maintaining his stellar form in the World Cup, as the team's bowling options are limited. The analysis of Team India ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 highlights a strong batting lineup, a lack of finishers, and a significant reliance on Jasprit Bumrah.

India’s Predicted Playing XI at the T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma ©, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.