Even as the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season hots up, the BCCI's announcement of India's 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June earlier this week has captured the attention of fans everywhere.
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The global tournament is set to start just five days after the end of the IPL, and now we have received answers to several questions surrounding the openers, wicketkeepers and finishing roles in the team.
Why India picked four spinners for T20 World Cup 2024? Detailing Rohit Sharma & co.'s spin-heavy tactics
On Thursday, May 2, India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar held a press conference to answer media questions on the selections made for the tournament, as well as an insight into India's tactics.
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One of the most notable aspects of the squad was the return of leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, returning to India colours after nearly a year. It will be his first-ever World Cup for India, and his selection means India have four spinning options along with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
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In the press conference, Rohit was clear on the decision to pick four spinners, saying,
I definitely needed 4 spinners. We know the conditions. There's a little bit of technical aspect involved. I won't give reason for four spinners right now, will reveal it in the first press conference in West Indies. With two spinners being all-rounders who can bat and two attacking spinners in Yuzi and Kuldeep gives you balance. Based on the opposition, we can decide what to play. There's a good chance that both Kuldeep and Chahal can play.
He further added later on that he felt the early morning starts on Caribbean pitches (10:30 AM) meant that there could be slight dampness and moisture which would assist the slower bowlers.
The last time this event was held in the West Indies was in 2010. On that occasion, spinners picked up 116 wickets in 27 matches at an economy rate of 7.2 while pacers accounted for 202 wickets, conceding at a rate of 7.5 runs per over.
Four spinners for India at T20 World Cup 2024: The right call?
It is no doubt tempting to play two wrist-spinners in the same XI, particularly if the team management foresees turning wickets in the West Indies. However, there are some doubts over whether this call affects another crucial part of the squad.
In the absence of Rinku Singh, India lack a death-overs batting specialist. Neither Hardik Pandya nor Ravindra Jadeja has looked good enough for the role in recent times, while Rinku has been exceptional. If he was to be included, it could only be in place of Chahal as Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube (all-round option) and Arshdeep Singh (backup pacer) are all required as second-choice players.
Seen from this point of view, the fourth spinner is a bit of overkill given that only three are likely to play at once, and that too in select games only. When it blocks the inclusion of India's premier back-end batter as well, it does appear to be a poor selection call, but only time will tell whether it adversely affects India's chances.
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