India T20 World Cup squad press conference highlights: ‘Not Rinku’s fault that he missed out' - Agarkar

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: At long last, Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma have entered the room. The press conference begins. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: That is all we can say so far. It has been about half an hour since we crossed the “rescheduled” start time of the press conference. Well, what is an Indian event without a delay, eh?

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: This is the 15-man squad that has been picked by the Agarkar-led selection comittee: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj. 

Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: If you've got a Hotstar subscription, you can follow it on the streaming service. The BCCI also said that the presser will be on the channel's official Youtube account. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: The BCCI has just stated that the press conference has been delayed to 4.30pm. “Please note the press conference is delayed by 30 minutes and will now take place at 4:30 PM,” the BCCI said.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: We will hear the exact reason for Rinku to be dropped in the press conference but thus far, many fans don't seem to have bought this theory that the KKR star has been dropped to accomodate Pandya, or that he lost out because Dube had more match time. Many fans have been pointing out online that Australia chose to drop Smith and make Mitch Marsh captain ahead of Pat Cummins and yet, India are unable to look past their established superstars and dropping one of the best performing T20 batters over the past 2 years for the lack of a secondary skill. It hasn't been a popular decision, to say the least. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: It is indeed incredible that a spinner who had been among the regulars for the Indian T20I team since his debut in 2016 had to wait for eight years to take part in his maiden T20 World Cup campaign. Thanks to his consistent outings in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals, Yuzvendra Chahal makes a return to the fold and will reunite with Kuldeep Yadav, forming the iconic ‘KulCha’ pair. Chahal has taken 13 wickets in nine games in the ongoing season so far.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Shivam Dube has made a brilliant rise in the shortest format over the past few years. In 2023 season, Dube was key to CSK's title-winning campaign as he eventually made a return to Team India's squad; however, what worked in the left-hander's favour was how CSK utilised him this year. In comparison to Rinku, Dube had significantly more playing time, as he batted consistently in top-5. Consequently, he had plenty opportunities to display his power-hitting prowess and ensure a place in the squad

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Kolkata Knight Riders designated Rinku as a finisher, which relegated him to lower positions in the batting order, denying him opportunities to bat in the top five. Across eight innings leading up to his selection, he faced a mere 82 balls, averaging around 10 balls per innings. The bulk of the batting responsibility was shouldered by the two Iyers, Venkatesh and skipper Shreyas, with the former largely being KKR's Impact Player this year. Consequently, Rinku found himself with limited chances to make an impact towards the end of the innings. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: That'd be the burning question on everyone's mind when Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar address the press conference. Many experts believe Rinku's IPL form – and lack of opportunities in the ongoing season – have contributed to his exit from the 15-member touring party. One's loss is another's gain, and in this case, Shivam Dube, who performed brilliantly for CSK this year, benefited from Rinku's snub.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: One of the major omissions was that of Rinku Singh. The left-handed batter, who had been a T20I regular ever since his exploits in the previous IPL, lost his place following an indifferent season this year. This, despite the fact that Rinku boasts of a strike rate of over 176 in 15 T20Is, which include seven unbeaten scores!

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Sanju Samson was asked whether he sees himself as India's no.5 at the T20 World Cup during an interaction with host broadcasters, Star Sports. But the RR skipper insists his focus is at the IPL at this point. "Definitely thinking about it… but I feel it is important for the team that they try to win the IPL. As of now, winning the IPL is more important. The players should focus on that goal only,” said Samson.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: This is where India might face a dilemma, and the duo of Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar might as well face this question in the presser later today. Both have done impressively in the top/middle-order, but it remains to be seen how the Indian think-tank rates the two keepers.  

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: There had been significant speculations over the wicketkeeper spots in India's squad for the T20 World Cup. It was primarily a three-way battle between Pant, Samson, and KL Rahul, with the RR skipper toppling Rahul for the second-choice role. The Royals captain has produced strong performances in IPL 2024, scoring 385 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of just above 161.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Thanks to his impressive IPL 2024 performances, Rishabh Pant has fast-tracked as quite possibly the first-choice option for the wicketkeeper-batter role at the T20 World Cup. However, before his accident, Pant played in the middle/lower-middle order for the side to indifferent results in T20Is; this year, the left-hander has largely batted at no.4 for the Capitals. Which position will be best suited for him at the T20 World Cup?

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Just a month before the IPL, the discussion surrounding Rishabh Pant's fitness revolved around doubts regarding his ability to keep wickets for Delhi Capitals, let alone lead the team. However, Pant not only fulfilled both roles but also delivered exceptional batting performances, resulting in a scarcely believable comeback to the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batter is currently DC's highest run-scorer, with 398 runs to his name in 10 matches. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Like his MI captain Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav is also struggling in the ongoing season. He did score two half-centuries since his return to competitive cricket this IPL, but has been largely inconsistent. He has two ducks to his name, and failed to make a mark in the side's last three matches, as MI reel at ninth spot in the league table with only three wins so far.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: The Indian all-rounder has not even crossed 200 runs in the ongoing season so far. With 197 runs in 10 matches, Hardik's averages stands at a dismal 21.89. His strike rate is just above 150. Furthermore, his bowling doesn't inspire much confidence either. His economy rate has been poor (11), with six wickets in 10 games. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: From the offset, it was highly unlikely that Hardik Pandya's poor form would have an impact on his T20 WC selection. Hardik has been an India regular in both white-ball formats, and was also the captain of the team in T20Is throughout 2023. However, his appointment as vice-captain raises some eyebrows; Hardik has been far from his best in the ongoing IPL season. He has failed to notch a single half-century in 10 appearances, and has picked only six wickets so far. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: While Suryakumar Yadav is more or less a guaranteed starter, there will be significant discussions over the remaining places. With Rishabh Pant coming back, Hardik Pandya being the vice-captain and Shivam Dube in sublime form, there will be tricky decisions awaiting the Indian team management. Oh, not to forget… Sanju Samson has been scoring runs for fun, too.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Rohit Sharma may have been brilliant in Indian colours across formats in the past few months, but his recent IPL form has sparked some concerns as preparations continue for the coveted T20 World Cup. While Rohit has hit a century this year, he has failed to breach double figures in Mumbai Indians' last three matches. Moreover, the century remains his only 50+ score in this season across 10 IPL matches.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Virat Kohli is currently the second-highest scorer in the league, and was the first batter to cross the 500-run mark in the ongoing edition. He held the Orange Cap for nearly a month until last night, when Ruturaj Gaikwad toppled him; however, the CSK captain is only nine runs ahead of Kohli. His 500 runs in 10 innings, however, came at a strike rate of 147.49; in a season where teams are consistently crossing 200-run mark with relative ease, Kohli's strike rate has come under significant criticism.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who has worked with Kohli during the former's stint as the president of BCCI between 2019-2022, stated that Rohit and Kohli should open for Team India. "It’s just my personal opinion and I am not saying that the selectors should do it – it’s their call at the end of the day- but I think Rohit and Virat should open,” Ganguly had said. However, that might mean Yashasvi Jaiswal, the explosive young batter, could be forced to the bench.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: The biggest speculation concerning the top-order has been Kohli's batting position at the T20 World Cup. Many former cricketers believe the India batting great should open, as there are possibilities of team combination being hampered if Kohli continues to bat at three. The 35-year-old India star is currently the Orange Cap holder for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he opens alongside Faf du Plessis.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: A key talking from discussions over the T20 World Cup squad announcement revolves around the opening order. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been picked alongside stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and it is likely the questions surrounding opening roles will be asked when Rohit takes part in the press conference later this evening.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will miss the flight to the Americas, as he wasn't included even in the four-man reserve list for the T20 WC. Rahul hadn't been a part of the T20I team since the World Cup in 2022, and despite impressive performances in the IPL this year (406 runs in 10 matches), the Lucknow Super Giants captain was snubbed in favour of Samson and Pant. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: There was an intense three-way battle for wicketkeeping spots at the T20 World Cup, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul competing for two spots; eventually, it was Rahul who was snubbed for the in-form younger keepers. Samson had been particularly consistent in his appearances in the T20Is following Pant's absence last year, and has been impressive in the ongoing IPL season, too. 

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Team India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant makes a return to the side after an impressive IPL 2024 so far. He currently stands fifth in the list of the highest run-getters this year, with 398 runs to his name in 11 matches. He is also Delhi Capitals' highest run-scorer in the competition so far, as his side remains in contention for playof spots.

The squad was announced through BCCI's official social media channels on Tuessday, and saw key inclusions – as well as omissions. While Yuzvendra Chahal made a comeback to the T20I side, Sanju Samson retained his place with Rishabh Pant marking his return to Indian team for the first time since the near-fatal car crash 16 months ago. However, Rinku Singh, the star T20 batter, was excluded, and will instead travel with reserves alongside Shubman Gill.

India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India's T20 WC squad press conference, where Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar would aim at providing clarity over the selection decisions surrounding the 15-member touring party to the Americas.