T20 World Cup 2024: The first batch of Indian players selected for the impending ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has left for the United States on Saturday evening. The team was spotted at the Mumbai Airport on May 25 following their completion of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaigns.
Among the cricketers who were spotted were skipper Rohit Sharma, senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav. The team also saw the presence of Shubman Gill, Mohammad Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh.
Along with the players, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathore were also seen heading to the International Airport in Mumbai.
Rishabh Pant, who has made a sensational comeback in the IPL 2024, was also seen donning Team India’s kit while en route to the USA with his countrymen.
While most of the Indian players were present in the first group which was bound to fly to the US, the remaining players will soon join the Indian squad in the US directly.
Among the cricketers who weren’t seen were matting maestro Virat Kohli, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh.
Virat Kohli’s IPL run ended in the eliminator following a painful defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR) were shown the outside doors by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Qualifier 2 a few nights ago.
Team India is scheduled to kickstart their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on June 5 in the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York. Rohit Sharma and his boys will take on Ireland in their tournament’s opening fixture.
The opening game of the T20 World Cup 2024 will be held on June 1 between the United States and Canada. The most anticipated India vs Pakistan game will be held on June 09 in New York.
Ahead of their run in the T20 World Cup, Team India will play out a solitary warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 01.
The Men in Blue will aim to cease their ICC trophy draught run in the upcoming tournament. It’s been more than 11 years since India last brought home the coveted ICC title. The team has got close to it on multiple occasions, but not once have they managed to get their hands on it.
Hardik Pandya Not Spotted with India for T20 World Cup 2024
Team India’s designated vice-captain Hardik Pandya was also not seen boarding the flight to the US despite his being relieved of his IPL duties a week ago. Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik, was the first side to get eliminated from the tournament.
If the reports are to be believed, Hardik is undergoing serious turmoil in his personal life after suffering a tormenting response throughout the TATA IPL 2024.
The rumours indicate that Hardik Pandya and his wife Natasha are on the verge of ending their marriage. The speculations rose after Natasha removed ‘Pandya’ surname from her Instagram profile. To add fuel to the rumours, she was not seen cheering for her husband throughout the IPL 2024.
Below is India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024:
India’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj [Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan]