The announcement of India’s T20 World Cup squad ignited a flurry of discussions across social media platforms, with netizens engaging in intense debates over the chosen players and those left out of the mix. Among those voicing their opinions was actor Riteish Deshmukh, a fervent follower of the game, who took to his social media handle to express his misgivings over the omission of KL Rahul, the stalwart wicketkeeper-batsman who leads the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
Sharing his disappointment with his followers, Riteish lamented that Rahul’s exclusion from the squad was a missed opportunity. Despite Rahul’s commendable performance in the ongoing IPL season, where he amassed 406 runs in 10 matches with an impressive average of 40.60 and a strike rate of 142.95, his absence from the World Cup roster raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
However, the selectors ultimately opted for Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, citing their stellar performances in the IPL and their formidable strike rates as decisive factors. Samson, the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, has been a standout performer this season, notching up 385 runs at an astounding average of 77.00 and a scorching strike rate of 161.08. Pant, on the other hand, has been a key player for the Delhi Capitals, amassing 398 runs at an average of 44.22 and a formidable strike rate of 158.56.
Rahul’s exclusion from the squad comes amidst scrutiny over his previous performances against top teams and concerns about his strike rate at the top of the order. His last appearance in the shortest format for India during the T20 WC 2022 in Australia ended in disappointment, with India suffering a crushing defeat to England in the semi-final.
As India gears up for the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to commence on June 5, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance in Group A, which includes arch-rivals Pakistan, along with Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. Led by captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya, the Indian squad is poised to face stiff competition on the global stage, with high-stakes matches against Pakistan and other formidable opponents looming large on the horizon.