Team India has left for T20 World Cup. Photo: BCCI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Team India has left for USA to take part in the 2024 T20 World Cup
- They will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5
- India are one-time T20 World Cup Champions
The members of the Rohit Sharma-led Team India flew to USA on Saturday (May 25) evening. Apart from Rohit, head coach Rahul Dravid, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav were among many players who were spotted at the airport. The fans already knew about Team India’s arrival at the airport and had gathered there to get a glimpse of the players. A couple of players also fulfilled a fan’s wish and signed the sign that he brought.
India are aiming to end their 11-year wait to win an ICC title and Rohit will have his task cut out in the WC. India haven’t won an ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Barring the 2021 T20 World Cup, India have reached the second stage of every ICC event played since 2013 but have always fallen short.
The Men in Blue came close to ending their drought at home but lost to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. India also played the final of the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy but failed to lift the title.
India will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5. They will sqaure off against arch-rivals, Pakistan on June 9. India will take on USA and Canada in their next two games on June 12 and 15, respectively. The inaugural T20 World Cup champions will face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1.
Big changes after T20 World Cup?
Irrespective of the result of the 2024 T20 World Cup, India’s T20 squad could undergo many changes after the ICC event. A young squad captained by Hardik Pandya is likely to take over the charge going ahead. India tried out many youngsters after the 2022 T20 WC but none of them could perform consistently.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who did not play a T20I in 2023, made their comebacks and are part of the World Cup squad.
India will have a new coaching staff after the WC. Rahul Dravid’s stint as the head coach will end after the 2024 T20 WC and he won’t reapply for the position. The BCCI wants an Indian coach to replace Dravid and the likes of Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman are in the race for the top job.
Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri and joined Team India’s backroom staff after the 2021 T20 World Cup. His contract was extended after the 2023 ODI World Cup.