Probable Playing XI for India in the T20I World Cup 2024

ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to commence on June 02 in the West Indies and the USA. 20 teams will be participating for the coveted trophy. India will enter the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the title for the second time after the inaugural edition in 2007.

India’s preparation for the World Cup has started as India has already played eight T20Is ahead of the WC and fans have gotten an idea of who is likely going to feature in the first choice XI in the World Cup. With that being said, here is-

India’s probable playing XI in the 2024 T20 cricket World Cup

1. Rohit Sharma

The return of Rohit Sharma as India captain in the T20I series against Afghanistan has cleared the doubts of who will be leading India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Before this series, Rohit’s last T20I was the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup against England.

In the last one year Rohit has completely changed his approach particularly in ODI cricket. At the recent World Cup, he unlocked another level of his batting, scoring runs at a strike rate of 125.94. There’s no reason not to back him to do the same in T20Is. He is highly expected to lead team India in the T20 World Cup and will also open India’s batting.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal made his T20I debut in August 2023. Still, he is one of the favorites for the opening slot alongside Rohit Sharma. He was also named the “Emerging Player of the Year 2023” recently because of his outstanding performances in 2023.

His spectacular form and the understanding of the game makes him another player in India’s plan for the upcoming tournament . Jaiswal can be the first-choice opener and his aggressive style of batting can give India a good balance of the left-hand and right-hand batting options at the top. 

3. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's return to T20I series against Afghanistan clarifies that he will be back in India’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2024. Virat was the highest run-scorer in the 2022 edition and also scored most runs in this format of the game.

Although Kohli did not play any T20I games last year, his tremendous form will follow in the shortest format too. His presence and experience is very crucial for India at such a big stage. Kohli will be one of the key players to feature in the playing XI of the T20 World Cup 2024.

4. KL Rahul (wk)

KL Rahul will be one of the top choices as middle-order wicket-keeper batter for India. However, Rahul last played an international game in the shortest format in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals against England. He world be the first priority to bat at no. 4 in the upcoming tournament.

Rahul has a good record in T20 as he scored above 2000 runs in 72 matches at a strike rate of 139.12. He has enough experience batting in the middle-order. 

5. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav is someone whom team India cannot neglect in the shortest format. With 4 T20I centuries, he has impressed with his tactics and style in the 20-over format. 

Suryakumar is currently no. 1 ranked T20I batter and will be the key for India in ICC T20 World Cup 2024. A lot will depend on his form during the WC and India would want him to perform at the right time. 

6. Rinku Singh

India have found an exceptional talent in the form of Rinku Singh, who can come in and take the game away from the opposition in a span of a few overs. He has done a tremendous job so far for India in the limited chances he got in the shortest format. 

Rinku Singh is one of the front-runners to be picked for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. 

7. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been out of action due to an injury which he suffered in ODI World Cup 2023 but is expected to be back for the IPL 2024. The 30-year-old will take one of the slots in the middle-order.

Pandya’s all-round ability is a key factor for India and he will be among top-prefered players to be part of India’s squad. Besides this, he will also be the vice-captain of the team and his presence in the 20-over format is invaluable. 

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja missed the last T20 World Cup due to an injury. But now is fully fit and is in fine form. He might get picked into the squad for the coming ICC event.

Ravindra Jadeja has a good record in the West Indies and the pitches there will also suit him. Besides brilliant spin bowling, his ability to bat makes him a vital cog of the Indian team. Though there are few other options as well but India are likely to go with experienced Jadeja. 

9. Kuldeep Yadav

The choice of the second spinner for the selectors is between Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi. The team is looking for a strong bowling attack, they would probably go with the China-man Kuldeep Yadav. 

Kuldeep can be very lethal on slow pitches in the West Indies. He has been in prime form recently and is India’s specialist spinner in white-ball cricket. Kuldeep comes up with a number of variations and will be used by Rohit as a wicket-taking option in the middle overs. 

10. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was injured during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and had to miss the competition completely. But his presence in the playing XI is very vital for India.

The pacer has a good record in the West Indies across all formats of the game. Swing and flat pitches will help the pacer to dominate the opposition on Caribbean soil. He is expected to be one of the two pacers for India for the World Cup 2024. His appearance will surely be a threat to the opposition.

11. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has emerged as a brilliant bowler for India in the last couple of years in all formats. His current form makes him a top-choice to be selected in the playing XI. Siraj has always given India the perfect start, taking plenty of wickets in the powerplay putting pressure on the opposition's batting from the first ball.

Siraj has improved a lot and is now a very important part of the team. He will be the new ball bowler for India in the T20Is and is likely to be part of the World Cup squad.