Indian captain Rohit Sharma has dismissed suggestions that the recently concluded IPL 2024 season had a significant influence on the selection of India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking at a press conference after the squad announcement, Rohit clarified that the core group of players was decided well before the IPL kicked off.
“We sort of make your playing XI in your mind and try and work around it. A lot of the prep, the talk happens during the IPL, and a lot of these guys have been playing this format for a while. It’s not like there’s anyone new. They all have been playing international cricket and the IPL. The talk of what our 15 was going to be like started much before the IPL,” Rohit Sharma stated.
Rohit emphasized that the selection committee and the leadership group had already identified the primary group of players they wanted for the T20 World Cup squad. He acknowledged that only a couple of spots needed to be finalized during the IPL season, and they are content with the 15-member squad they have assembled.
The Indian captain’s remarks highlight the team management’s proactive approach in planning for the marquee event, with the IPL performances serving as supplementary information rather than the sole determining factor for selection.
Rohit’s comments indicate that the team’s core group comprises seasoned campaigners who have been a part of India’s T20I setup for a while, complemented by a few players whose spots were confirmed based on their IPL showings.
With the squad in place, the focus now shifts to fine-tuning preparations and strategizing for the T20 World Cup, which commences on June 2. India will be aiming to lift their second T20 World Cup title and cement their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
