India Announces 15-Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2024, Rishabh Pant Returns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be hosted in the West Indies and USA. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Hardik Pandya serving as the vice-captain. Notable inclusions in the squad are Yuzvendra Chahal and Shivam Dube, while Rishabh Pant makes a comeback after recovering from a car accident in December 2022.

Pant, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, has been included in the squad, marking his return to international cricket after a severe car crash in late 2022. This will be Pant's first appearance in the national team since the accident. He has impressed with his performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League, scoring 398 runs from 11 games. Veteran wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul has made way for Pant's return.

The squad also features Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. India will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by a match against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. The team will also face the USA and Canada during the group stage.

Why this matters: The return of Rishabh Pant to the Indian squad for a major ICC tournament is a significant development, given his recovery from a life-threatening car accident. His inclusion bolsters India's batting lineup and wicketkeeping options as they aim to secure their second T20 World Cup title.

The squad announcement has generated enthusiasm among fans and experts alike, with many praising the selection committee for rewarding performances in the IPL. Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop stated, "The BCCI selection committee has done a great job in rewarding Rishabh Pant's incredible show on his return to competitive cricket. His power, innovation, and tempo will be a great complement to the rest of the team." India will be hoping to overcome recent challenges and emerge victorious in the highly anticipated tournament, which kicks off on June 2, 2024.

Key Takeaways

• India's 15-member squad for 2024 T20 World Cup announced, led by Rohit Sharma.
• Rishabh Pant returns to the team after car accident, replacing veteran K.L. Rahul.
• India to face Ireland, Pakistan, USA, and Canada in the group stage.
• Pant's inclusion bolsters India's batting and wicketkeeping options for the tournament.
• India aims to secure their second T20 World Cup title in the West Indies and USA.