Mayank Yadav and Riyan Parag Make Cut, Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant Miss Out in T20 World Cup Squad Selected by 6-Time IPL Winner

Amid the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, India captain Rohit Sharma is set to meet with BCCI selectors this week to discuss the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The ICC has set May 1 as the deadline for squad submission for all participating teams. As this deadline approaches, various experts have shared their insights on the selection process. Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu has also put forward his picks for the 15-man squad.

Notably, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has faced scrutiny for his performance in the IPL, is absent from Rayudu's predicted squad. Hardik has taken over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians this season from Rohit Sharma but has struggled both as a captain and a player.

While reports suggest that the BCCI may not consider new IPL performers, Rayudu has included promising talents like Lucknow Super Giants' pacer Mayank Yadav and Rajasthan Royals' all-rounder Riyan Parag in his predicted squad. Mayank, in particular, has garnered attention for his impressive IPL debut and is seen as a potential inclusion for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, starting June 2.

In Rayudu's batting lineup, the top four positions are occupied by Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. Interestingly, Rayudu has opted for veteran Dinesh Karthik as the wicketkeeper instead of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, or Sanju Samson. Karthik, despite his team Royal Challengers Bangalore's struggles in the IPL, has been in good form with the bat.

Rayudu's bowling department comprises three spinners and four pacers, providing a balanced combination for the T20 format.

Ambati Rayudu's predicted India squad for T20 World Cup 2024 includes:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Dinesh Karthik
- Rinku Singh
- Shivam Dube
- Riyan Parag
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mayank Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj