T20 World Cup 2024: Hardik Pandya's place in India squad was debated a lot; Rinku Singh 'unlucky', says BCCI source

The BCCI on Tuesday said that Rinku Singh was “unlucky” to miss out on a spot in the India squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup , whereas there was a toss-up between Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube which eventually led to a debate. There was, however, not much debate on Sanju Samson’s place in the squad. Both Hardik and Dube were selected in the provisional India squad, whereas Rinku Singh, known for his exploits with KKR in the IPL, was demoted to the travelling reserves list.

Rinku, who had hit five sixes in an over during an IPL 2023 match, was expected to make the preliminary squad but lost his place to Dube, who has finished games for CSK in the IPL on multiple occasions.

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“There was a lot of debate over Hardik’s place in the squad while Samson was not debated much. Rinku was just unlucky. It was a toss-up between (Dube and Rinku with Hardik also in the squad),” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Samson has been in fine form with the bat in IPL 2024, scoring 385 runs from nine matches that includes four fifties. He was included in the squad as a second wicketkeeper, along with the returning Rishabh Pant.

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As far as spinners are concerned, Yuzvendra Chahal has been named in the squad alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Chahal last played for India in August 2023 but has had a good IPL thus far, having taken 13 wickets.

Shubman Gill was another surprise absentee from the main squad. He, like Rinku, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan have been named in the reserves list.

India are in Group A along with arch-rivals Pakistan, USA, Canada and Ireland. The Men in Blue kickstart their campaign against Ireland on 5 June in New York before taking on Pakistan at the same venue four days later.