T20 World Cup 2024: Unpacking Team India's STRONGEST Playing XI

The Indian Cricket has touched down in New York City as they are ramping up their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 set to be hosted in USA and West Indies. Rohit Sharma is set to lead Team India in the T20 World Cup for the second time and will be hoping to end India's 11 year drought of not winning any ICC trophy. 

Heading into the World Cup there are some major question marks over Team India given their recent history of underwhelming performances at the T20 World Cup. The 15 member squad for Team India at the World Cup suggested a fine balance of experience, explosion and youth.  Before unpacking what is the strongest playing eleven for India in the T20 World Cup, let's take a look at the squad that has travelled to USA. 

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Team India's squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Based on the squad the striking factor is that Team India have backed their spinners heading into the tournament as they have selected two offspinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel and two specialist spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

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Here is the strongest playing XI for Team India at T20 World Cup 2024 

Openers - Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal 

Batters - Suryakumar Yadav (In at 3), Virat Kohli (In at 4)

Wicket Keeper - Rishabh Pant (In at 5) 

Allrounders - Shivam Dube (In at 6), Hardik Pandya (In at 7), Ravindra Jadeja (In at 8)

Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah (In at 9), Kuldeep Yadav (In at 10), Arshdeep Singh (In at 11)

This is the side that gives Team India the best chances to do well with a solid top order and three solid finishers in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja.  With Dube, Pant and Jaiswal Team India will also have three left handers in their batting order something which the team has lacked over the years. Additionally, Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he wants Shivam Dube to bowl in the World Cup this allows an extra bowling option to the team. 

Team India will play its only World Cup warm up game against Bangladesh on 1st June. They will play their first group stage game at the T20 World Cup against Ireland on June 5th and will face arch nemesis Pakistan in the marquee fixture of the World Cup on June 9th. India will play against hosts USA on 12th June and Canada on 15th June in their final two games of the group stage.