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The cricket world was left buzzing after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Among the notable exclusions was KL Rahul, the talented top-order batter who has been a consistent performer for the national team and a pivotal figure in various tournaments.
BCCI unveils T20 World Cup squad
The anticipation surrounding India’s squad for the T20 World Cup reached its peak as the BCCI revealed the chosen 15 players on Tuesday. Leading the team will be the experienced Rohit Sharma, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya serving as his deputy. The Men in Blue are set to compete in Group A alongside traditional rivals Pakistan, along with Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA.
The journey for India kicks off on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, where they face Ireland. A highly anticipated showdown against Pakistan follows on June 9 at the same venue, with subsequent matches against USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.
Surprise omission: KL Rahul
However, the announcement of the squad came with its share of surprises, chief among them being the absence of Rahul. From holding the position of vice-captain in the 2022 T20 World Cup to being left out entirely, Rahul’s omission raised eyebrows across the cricketing community. The decision was attributed to the inclusion of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as the two designated keeper-batters.
Also READ: Twitter goes gaga as BCCI includes Sanju Samson in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024
Lucknow Super Giants’ cryptic take
Responding to Rahul’s exclusion, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), captained by Rahul, took to social media to express their take. In a cryptic yet poignant post on X (formerly Twitter), LSG shared a picture of Rahul with the caption – “Our No.1 since Day Zero.” The post garnered significant attention and stirred conversations about Rahul’s absence from the national squad.
Our No.1 since Day Zero 💙 pic.twitter.com/g6em6OnVEu
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 30, 2024
Squad composition and strategy
While the absence of Rahul dominated discussions, attention also turned to the composition of India’s squad. The selection showcased a blend of experience and youth, with veterans like Yuzvendra Chahal making a comeback alongside promising talents like Arshdeep Singh.
The presence of spinners like Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav hints at a strategic move to capitalize on spin-friendly conditions. With only three specialist pacers in the squad, the emphasis seems to be on spin and all-round options, with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel providing depth to both batting and bowling departments.