5 Indian Players Who Are Frontrunners To Play Their First 20-20 World Cup In 2024

Team India’s journey in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 got ended on 10 November. They lost against England in Adelaide by 10 wickets. All Indian fans were in shock after that humiliating loss. Everyone was expecting to see them get qualified for the final against Pakistan. But, Rohit Sharma and his men failed to do so.

Now, fans and former cricketers are raising their voices that many players need to hang up their boots in the shortest format of the game for India. Even, selectors have chosen some new faces for India’s upcoming tours in New Zealand and Bangladesh. So, there are some players who might be favourites to play their first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024.  

Here are five players who might play their first 20-20 World Cup for team India in 2024: 

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill (Image Source: Twitter)

This batter will be a crucial part of team India in T20Is. In the last edition of the Indian T20 League, Shubman Gill scored 483 runs in 16 matches for his Gujarat franchise. Gill was instrumental to help Gujarat to win the league at their first attempt only. Now, for the upcoming New Zealand tour, selectors have chosen the batter for both the ODIs and T20Is. However, he missed the squad for the ODIs in Bangladesh.

In 2022, he was the man of the series in both the ODI series in Zimbabwe and the West Indies. Recently, he also smashed 126 runs off 55 balls for Punjab against Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In this tournament, Gill scored 260 runs in six innings, at an average of 52. So, he might be one of the favourites to play his first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024.  

2. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson (Image Source: Twitter)

This wicketkeeper batter is on the line to become a vital part of team India in the shortest format of the game. Before the 20-20 World Cup 2022, there were reports that Sanju Samson might go to Australia in place of Rishabh Pant. But, the selectors did not select him for the World Cup. So, his fans were not unhappy.

In this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 160 runs in six innings, at an average of 26.66. In the last edition of the Indian T20 League, he led his Rajasthan franchise to the final of the tournament. However, selectors have chosen Samson for both the ODIs and T20Is in New Zealand. So, he might be one of the players to play his first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024.       

3. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer (Image Source: Twitter)

This batter can be an essential part of the T20I setup for India in the coming days. Shreyas Iyer missed India’s squad for the 20-20 World Cup in 2022. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer scored 173 runs in six innings, at an average of 28.83. He also smashed 73 runs off 44 balls in the semi-final against Vidarbha.

Eventually, Mumbai also became the champion of the tournament. Now, selectors have chosen Iyer for both the New Zealand and Bangladesh tours. He will be a part of the ODI and T20I series in New Zealand. Iyer will also be available for both the ODI and Test series in Bangladesh. Therefore, he might be one of the frontrunners to play his first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024.     

4. Umran Malik

Umran Malik (Image Source: Twitter)

This pacer impressed everyone with his pace in the last edition of the Indian T20 League. For his Hyderabad franchise, Umran Malik took 22 wickets in 14 matches. Then, he made his debut for India in the T20I series in Ireland. However, before the 20-20 World Cup 2022, Umran fell behind in the pecking order and missed the flight for team India.

Many former cricketers criticized team India for not utilizing this pacer’s ability in the Australian conditions. In this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took eight wickets in seven matches, at an economy of 8.08. India lost their semi-final against England as their bowlers failed to take any wickets. So, after such a dismal show from bowlers, Umran Malik might be one of the favourites to play his first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024. Selectors even have chosen him for both the upcoming ODIs and T20Is in New Zealand.     

5. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar (Image Source: Twitter)

This star all-rounder can be another option for the next 20-20 World Cup in 2024. Washington Sundar has missed cricketing actions recently for team India due to injury concerns. But, now, selectors have chosen him for the ODI and T20I series in New Zealand. He will be available for the ODI series in Bangladesh also.

In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sundar scored 60 runs in four innings, at an average of 20 with the bat. Along with it, he took six wickets in five innings, at an economy of 6.47 with the ball. So, based on his all-round abilities with both the ball and bat, Sundar might be one of the frontrunners to play his first-ever 20-20 World Cup in 2024.