The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Tuesday for the upcoming T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies but the omission of batter Rinku Singh from the 15-member contingent led to severe criticism.
Singh is part of the travelling reserves, along with Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed, for the mega event.
"I think Rinku Singh’s recent past performance for Team India shouldn’t have been ignored," ex-Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan said on X, which was formerly known Twitter.
It must be noted that the 26-year-old averages 89 with an impressive strike-rate of 176.23 in 11 innings since making his T20I debut last August. However, he has struggled in the ongoing IPL with only 123 runs at a strike rate of 150 in nine innings for Kolkata Knight Riders.
"Feeling bad for Rinku. Six months ago he was one of the first names on the teamsheet. And now, finds himself out of the 15," said renowned commentator Aakash Chopra.
“Happy for Dube and Sanju. And of course, the rest of the squad. Wishing Team India the best,” he added.
The Indian squad will be led by Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya his deputy.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been picked after impressing in the IPL, along with fellow spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Meanwhile, the pace attack includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh with Pandya and Dube also available as seam-bowling options.
Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant are the two wicketkeepers in the Indian squad.
India will start their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, followed by the match against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. India will then take the field against USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.
India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-Captain), 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, Mohammad Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
- Rinku Singh