T20 World Cup 2024: 8 Talking points from Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar's press-conference

Indian Men's Cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar attended a press conference after BCCI announced the T20 World Cup squad at the BCCI headquarters on Thursday. Rohit and Ajit answered the question on the selection of four spinners, not having Rinku Singh in the main squad, selecting Shivam Dube and the selection of the wicket-keepers in the squad. 

Here are 8 talking points from Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar's press conference -

Rohit Sharma on IPL's influence in the selection of the T20 World Cup squad

The Indian Cricket team captain shared his thoughts on IPL 2024's influence on the selection of the T20 World Cup squad. Answering on the topic he said, "We sort of make your playing XI in your mind and try and work around it. A lot of the prep, the talk happens during the IPL and a lot of these guys have been playing this format for a while."

"It's not like there's anyone new. They all have been playing international cricket and the IPL. The talk of what our 15 was going to be like started much before the IPL," he added.

Ajit Agarkar on dropping KL Rahul from the squad 

Even before the squad's announcement, there were many speculations on the selection of the wicket-keepers.  KL Rahul was the one to miss out on the selection against Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. 

"KL Rahul has not been chosen because he is an opener. Sanju Samson can play down the order if needed."

"KL is a terrific player. We are looking at who’s in the middle order. Rishabh at 5 for DC. Sanju has the ability to come down the order. Not about who’s better and who’s not," Ajit answered.

Agarkar on dropping Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh's exclusion from the squad was one of the talking points after India's squad announcement. The left-handed batter was one of the better players in the lower middle order for India but missed out on selection. However, he has been named in the reserve for the T20 World Cup 2024. 

"You can only pick 15. Rinku Singh's exclusion was the toughest decision. It's got nothing to do with Rinku. We felt Rohit can have an extra spin option with two wrist spinners. He is in the reserves so that's how close he was," the chairman of the selection committee said. 

Rohit Sharma on having four spinners in the squad

Talking about having four spinners in the main squad, captain Rohit Sharma said he does not want to reveal the reason as of now as many other teams would be listening to the press conference. He cited that he does not want to reveal the secret and will say more on this when the Indian Cricket team have their first press conference in the USA. 

“I definitely wanted 4 spinners. But, I won't tell you the reason now. Maybe I'll reveal it in the first press conference in the US," Rohit told the media.

Rohit Sharma on not having any off-spinner in the squad

Despite having four spinners in the squad, the selection panel did not opt for any off-spinner in the main squad. Answering about that, Rohit said, “Something that we discussed a lot. We discussed whether to have off off-spinner or not. Washy (Washington Sundar) hasn’t played a lot of cricket. And it was between Ash and Axar… it was like that."

"We thought that having 2 left-arm spinners and being doing well. Ashwin hasn’t played much lately. Axar was in good form from 50 overs format when he played those matches against Australia. So he’s been bowling well for India. It gives us that left-handed option if we have to send someone in the middle. And of course, a very experienced player," Rohit Sharma.

Ajit Agarkar cheekily added, "Maybe the captain can roll his arm over".

Rohit Sharma on the all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube

Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube have been picked as the main pace bowling all-rounders in the squad. Though Hardik has bowled in the IPL, he has been far away from his best.

On the other hand, Dube has not bowled that much for CSK in the IPL 2024. Expecting them to bowl, bat and field well, captain Rohit Sharma said, "Expect them to do what they are in IPL. Shivam hasn’t bowled in IPL but he’s a seasoned cricketer who’s bowled a lot in red-ball. When he plays in t20, it's about skills coming into the picture."

"Such players have chances of success. If we need Shivam to bowl a few overs he will be. Same with Hardik as well; he has been bowled regularly in IPL. Like Ajit said, he’s played all games. Fitness wise no issues. We’ll be looking forward to contributions from these 4 guys and all of us as well." 

Agarkar on Kohli's strike rate in the IPL

Although  Virat Kohli has been scoring a lot of runs in IPL 2024, many experts and pundits have not been impressed with the strike rate the former Indian captain has been batting in the tournament. In fact, there were reports that Kohli will be dropped from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad as India will look for a more dynamic option. However, Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma never talked about that during the selection. 

While Rohit laughed at the question, Agarakr said, "We haven't been discussing Virat Kohli's strike rate at all. He has been performing really well in the IPL, no point overthinking."

Agarkar on Hardik being the vice-captain despite lack of form

There were discussions on who would be the vice-captain of the squad for the T20 World Cup, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar decided to go with Hardik Pandya as the deputy of Rohit Sharma. Citing Hardik's long lay-off from the game, Agarkar said, “No discussion on vice-captaincy. As long as he (Hardik Pandya) is fit, there is no replacement for what he can do."

 "There have been no talks about the vice-captaincy - what Hardik brings as a cricketer, it's tough to replace - he gives lots of options to the captain as well and he is just coming back after a long break."

Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya (VC), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj. 

Reserves: Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.

Read about the squads of every team in the T20 World Cup 2024.