India's Squad for T20 World Cup: Who are the bowlers in contention and how they have performed in IPL 2024?

The announcement India’s 15-man squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup can happen any day now with the 1 May deadline nearing. The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) is acting as a tournament to determine which players are likely to fly to the West Indies and United States of America for the showpiece tournament.

Also read | Who are the wicket-keepers in contention for 2024 T20 World Cup?

It’s been a batters’ IPL for most part this season but come the T20 World Cup, the bowlers cannot be counted out. Yuzvendra Chahal, T Natarajan and Arshdeep Singh have all impressed in the IPL so far but who are the contenders for the T20 World Cup as far as bowlers are concerned? We take a look here:

How have they performed in IPL 2024 so far?

Mohammed Siraj (RCB)

Matches: 8; Wickets: 5; BBM: 2/26; Average: 57.80; Economy: 9.63

Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)

Matches: 9; Wickets: 12; BBM: 4/29; Average: 25.17; Economy: 9.64

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Avesh Khan (RR)

Matches: 8; Wickets: 8; BBM: 2/34; Average: 36.50; Economy: 9.42

T Natarajan (SRH)

Matches: 6; Wickets: 12; BBM: 4/19; Average: 17.42; Economy: 8.71

Mukesh Kumar (DC)

Matches: 7; Wickets: 10; BBM: 3/14; Average: 22.30; Economy: 10.37

Kuldeep Yadav (DC)

Matches: 7; Wickets: 12; BBM: 4/55; Average: 15.25; Economy: 7.83

Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)

Matches: 8; Wickets: 4; BBM: 3/18; Average: 53; Economy: 7.85

Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)

Matches: 8; Wickets: 13; BBM: 3/11; Average: 20.38; Economy: 8.83

Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)

Matches: 8; Wickets: 5; BBM: 2/21; Average: 41.80; Economy: 8.47

Now, we take a look at who among these bowlers are likely to seal their spot in the India squad for the T20 World Cup:

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Pacers

There’s just one certain name who has all but sealed his spot in the India squad for T20 World Cup among bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah. Despite registering figures of 3/14 against Gujarat Titans in Mumbai Indians’ IPL season-opener, Bumrah underwent a mini rough patch with two wicketless match figures before finding his mojo yet again.

His figures of 5/21 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is testament to the fact that the 29-year-old is the man for the big occasions and cannot be written off.

But, what about the rest of the spots among pacers? Mohammed Shami is currently missing the IPL after undergoing a heel surgery and will also miss the T20 World Cup. Mohammed Siraj is another pick but he is no more the obvious choice given his below-par start to the IPL.

Despite having a limited role in IPL 2024, T Natarajan has emerged as a candidate and can also be a valuable backup option for Bumrah. Another promising option is Arshdeep Singh, who is known for his ability to swing the ball and also maintaining excellent lines and lengths. However, what goes against Arshdeep’s favour is his tendency to leak runs in the death overs and that is something that the selectors will be vary of while picking the squad.

Then there’s Mukesh Kumar, who may not be a straightforward choice but can still produce the goods with the ball, just as he has shown in the IPL for DC so far. Mukesh, however, will have to perform consistently and the major challenge for him will be to control the flow of runs given that he tends to give away freebies to the opposition.

Spinners

Yuzvendra Chahal, the RR spinner who is in the reckoning for the Purple Cap, has once again given a timely reminder to the selectors as to how good he can be. However, ahead of Chahal, are Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav in the race for the T20 World Cup.

The likeliest name to make the squad will be Kuldeep Yadav, but Chahal has given himself a fighting chance. Bishnoi, for his part, has not had an IPL to remember so far with just five wickets in eight matches and Chahal could however emerge as a favourite should he continue his splendid run of form.

When it comes to experience, there’s Ravindra Jadeja but the 25-year-old has looked off-colour with the ball for CSK. While he might make the squad given his experience and the kind of back-up he can provide to fellow spinners, the Saurashtra all-rounder’s form with the ball remains a major worry.

But the biggest question is: Will we see KulCha back playing in Indian colours again?

What the experts have been saying

While he may not be an obvious choice, former India pacer Zaheer Khan has picked uncapped seamer Yash Dayal in his India squad. “When I talk about Yash Dayal, it’s a floating spot when the 15 are announced because Mohammed Shami will not be available for the tournament. He’s one bowler that if you need someone to bowl up, you have Yash Dayal. If you want a back-end bowler and if Siraj’s form is spotty, he can be used there as well,” Zaheer told JioCinema recently.

Sanjay Manjrekar, meanwhile, was full of praise for Kuldeep Yadav as he selected the spinner in his squad for the T20 World Cup. “Yes. And this is perhaps Kuldeep Yadav at his peak with regards to his skills, his confidence. You can see now he’s out there like a Bumrah or Chahal at his peak. He is commanding that kind of respect. He looks comfortable with the responsibility and champions, you know, those breaks and those moments that you are seeking at the right time,” said Manjrekar.

Talking to Star Sports in January, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar picked Ravi Bishnoi ahead of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and explained the reason behind that. “Ravi Bishnoi for me because apart from bowling, he is a very good fielder. He is a better fielder than Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal,” Gavaskar had said.