Amidst the IPL 2024, Rohit Sharma has reportedly met with Team India head coach Rahul Dravid and chief of selector Ajit Agarkar recently in Mumbai to discuss the squad composition for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the meeting was held at the BCCI headquarters last week and a key decision regarding Hardik Pandya was agreed upon.
The trio decided that bowling regularly during the IPL 2024 will be key to Pandya’s chances of making the cut in the squad.
The meeting lasted two hours and a significant time was spent on discussion the fast bowling allrounder(s) India will take with them for the T20 showpiece to be co-hosted by the USA and Caribbean islands in June this year.
However, the selectors don’t have enough quality option to dip into even though they are keeping a close eye on Shivam Dube who is having an impressive season with the bat but has only been used as an Impact Player by his franchise Chennai Super Kings. The defending champions haven’t felt the need to use Dube’s right-arm medium pace bowling considering the wealth of option at their disposal.
On the other hand, Pandya, who is also captaining Mumbai Indians this year, has been struggling with his bowling. So far, he has sent down 11 overs in six games and taken three wickets but the major concern is over his economy rate which currently stands at 12 per over.
The Indian team management is hoping Pandya to get into some rhythm as he adds the much needed balance to the playing XI with his seam bowling and his power-packed hitting lends more depth to their batting too.
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As per various media reports, the Indian selection committee will meet later this month to finalise the squad and how the hopefuls perform in the ongoing IPL will play a major role.
India will begin their world cup campaign against Ireland on June 5.
first published: April 16, 2024, 10:26 IST