'Mainly Looking for Middle-order Options': Ajit Agarkar Explains Why KL Rahul Missed Out on India Squad for T20 World Cup

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Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said KL Rahul missed out on a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad because they were looking for "guys" who can bat in the middle.

KL Rahul was not picked in India’s 15-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup as Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson got the nod.

India’s T20 World Cup Squad Press Conference – HIGHLIGHTS

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified why during a press conference on Thursday. Agarkar said KL Rahul missed out on a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad because they were looking for “guys” who can bat in the middle.

“At the moment KL is batting at the top. Rishabh, not opening the inning. Sanju has, we feel Sanju has the ability to come down the order if need be. Rishabh is batting at five for Delhi,” Agarkar told reporters.

“That was more the thinking. It wasn’t whether KL is better or these guys are better. It’s about the slots that we needed and we felt these two are better equipped at this point. Or have spent a bit more time towards the latter part of the innings which might be needed in the World Cup. So that’s mainly the thinking. Two incredible players as well”, he added.

️ It's about the slots that we neededMr Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of Men's Selection Committee, talks about the wicketkeeper-batters for the #T20WorldCup squad. pic.twitter.com/rZFYBlpG3d
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 2, 2024

Complete List of T20 World Cup 2024 Squads

So, from being the India vice-captain at the 2022 T20 World Cup to missing out completely, KL Rahul will surely feel disappointed as the top-order batter could not be accommodated in India’s 15-member squad.

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When Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma though is not sure on India’s playing XI.

“Don’t know how the pitch will be in USA. We are playing in the West Indies but different venues. You have to look at the opposition combinations as well. One thing that we looked at was middle-order hitting. Our top-order hitting has been alright, not that bad,” Rohit told reporters in Mumbai.

“We wanted someone to play that role in the middle overs freely, without worrying about who is bowling. Shivam Dube was the guy who showed this in IPL. Again, no guarantee what our playing XI will be like. Will decide based on practice and the combination of our opposition,” he added.