Are Rohit Sharma, BCCI Selection Panel On Same Page For T20 World Cup Squad Selection? Here’s What Report Say

BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar met Rohit Sharma in Delhi in the weekend after the Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians game.

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the focus shifts towards India’s T20 World Cup squad announcement which could be any time before the May 1 deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, India captain Rohit Sharma and the BCCI selection panel aren’t on the same page as far as the final 15 is concerned, according to reports. Even BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar flew down to the Capital to meet Rohit during Mumbai Indians’ away game against Delhi Capitals. The duo met after the game and had an informal meeting before Rohit flew to Lucknow.

But what was the exact talk about between Agarkar and Rohit? As per reports, there are a certain set of players that Rohit wants to take in the team for the T20 World Cup to be played in the USA and West Indies from June 1. On the other hand, the selection panel which also consists of Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, and Sridharan Sharath apart from Agarkar, have earmarked certain players whom they want in the squad.

With Rohit travelling continuously with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, the exchange of thoughts between the Indian captain and the BCCI selectors weren’t happening. Through Agarkar, the rest of BCCI selection panel, currently in Mumbai, will get Rohit’s feedback and due actions will be taken. Rohit will be reaching Mumbai on May 1, after Mumbai Indians’ match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 30. It is understood that the BCCI will hold a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday to officially announce the final 15-member squad.

While majority of the slots are already booked, it is believed that the discussions were regarding certain slots in the side. With Rohit certain to open the batting, the fight is between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as who will partner Rohit at the top. Another point of discussion has been who among Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will make the bus. While Hardik hasn’t performed consistently both with bat and ball, Dube is better placed following his fireworks for Chennai Super Kings so far in IPL 2024.

All eyes will also be on Yuzvendra Chahal. The Rajasthan Royals spinner, who is among the top five in the list of highest wicket-takers in IPL 2024, has been ignored since West Indies tour last year. The leggie wasn’t a part of the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup squads last year, drawing several debates.

The first batch of the players will leave for USA on May 21 according to a TOI report. It will include the players who will be out of the IPL playoffs race by then.