India is eager to return to winning form after narrowly missing out in the 2023 ODI World Cup and falling short of a podium finish in the 2022 T20 World Cup. With some of the world's best players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, the team is poised for success. Can this supremely talented Indian squad reclaim their spot in the winner's circle? Get the inside scoop on India's Cricket Squad for the upcoming GameDay Squad Fantasy Cricket competition with our in-depth analysis and preview. Discover which players to watch out for!
Squad
Average is based on all T20 Internationals in the last 12 months.
Hardik Pandya - All-Rounder - 43.4 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Ravindra Jadeja - All-Rounder - 45.5 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Jasprit Bumrah - Bowler - 70.0 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Mohammed Siraj - Bowler - 43.0 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Kuldeep Yadav - Bowler - 50.0 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Axar Patel - All-Rounder - 38.9 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Rohit Sharma - Batsman - 58.7 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Virat Kohli - Batsman - 24.0 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Suryakumar Yadav - Batsman - 55.2 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Yashasvi Jaiswal - Batsman - 49.6 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Rishabh Pant - Wicket-Keeper - 0.0 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Sanju Samson - Wicket-Keeper - 23.3 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Shivam Dube - All-Rounder - 51.3 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Yuzvendra Chahal - Bowler - 26.4 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Arshdeep Singh - Bowler - 36.8 GameDay Squad fantasy average
Batters
Is this the most talented batting line-up at the World Cup? It would be challenging to find a more formidable quartet of batsmen worldwide right now! Each batting option is extremely relevant for fantasy cricket and will play a massive role for your GameDay Squad fantasy team.
Rohit Sharma - Batsman
Virat Kohli - Batsman
Suryakumar Yadav - Batsman
Yashasvi Jaiswal - Batsman
The man needs no introduction. He’s won it all and is in some of the best form of his career. He is, of course, the king: Virat Kohli! Fresh off an Orange Cap-winning season in the IPL, Kohli looks set to dominate bowling attacks in the 2024 T20 World Cup. His numbers are extraordinary, especially in T20Is, where he averages an incredible 51.75 runs per innings over 117 matches. Kohli is an absolute must-start for any fantasy team, especially considering that his group stage opponents include Pakistan, the USA, Canada, and Ireland. It would be unwise not to start him!
Kohli's partner in crime and the captain of the side, Rohit Sharma, is another player who transcends any form of written admiration. The "Hitman" has achieved everything in cricket and boasts eye-watering numbers to back it up. With an average of 31.79 in T20Is over 151 matches and a strike rate of 139.97, Rohit is also a must-start. Despite his challenges in the 2024 IPL season, forget that season ever happened and expect the best from this great man in the biggest short-format tournament of the year!
A player who might fly under the radar compared to the stars mentioned above, yet can be just as clinical on his day, is Suryakumar Yadav. It shouldn't surprise anyone, as SKY Yadav has held onto the number one ICC T20 Batsman ranking for some time now. It's imperative he isn't overlooked, even when in the same conversation as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Through 60 matches, SKY has been electric on the T20I stage, averaging an impressive 45.55 runs per innings. He also brings good form, having demolished IPL bowling attacks in the 2024 season. He’s definitely one to keep on your radar and a card you need to have ready to deploy.
Bowlers
Despite having SIX options to choose from amongst the Indian bowling attack, there is no secret that the Bowler's offer the least amount of fantasy scoring power compared to the other three positions.
Jasprit Bumrah - Bowler
Arshdeep Singh - Bowler
Khaleel Ahmed - Bowler
Mohammed Siraj - Bowler
Yuzvendra Chahal - Bowler
As mentioned, India may not have the biggest and best bowling attack for this World Cup, but if there's one bowler in world cricket who can carry an attack, it's Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is arguably the best all-format bowler in world cricket right now. After finishing second for the Purple Cap in the IPL this year, he's an enticing choice for your squad, especially considering he's bringing form into the tournament. The 30-year-old has claimed 74 T20I wickets so far in his career, and I fully expect him to add to that tally, further cementing himself as one of India's greatest bowlers.
All-rounders
We are spoilt for choice again at the All-Rounder position with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel all capable of scoring gargantuan numbers for your GameDay Squad fantasy squad!
Hardik Pandya - All-Rounder
Ravindra Jadeja - All-Rounder
Shivam Dube - All-Rounder
Axar Patel - All-Rounder
Hardik Pandya has been a hot topic of discussion after his polarizing first season as Mumbai's captain. Although his leadership didn’t go as planned, his individual performances were strong enough to secure his spot on the plane to the World Cup. The key to fantasy greatness for Pandya lies in his bowling. While his batting prowess is well-known, injuries have previously hindered his consistency as a bowler. However, after a full season of bowling in the IPL, it's safe to say that Pandya will play an imperative role in the success of both India and your GameDay Squad fantasy team.
The world's greatest fieldsman is primed to light up the World Cup. Ravi Jadeja has consistently been one of the best cricketers on the planet across all formats in recent years. Jadeja boasts a batting average of 22.85, which is impressive considering he often bats as low as 7 or 8 in the order, and he has claimed 53 wickets in just 66 T20I matches. Where Jadeja offers unique value is in his world-class fielding. He is a force in the field, capable of changing a game in all three facets of cricket. For this reason, he is a player you will need to be ready to deploy at any time.
Wicket Keeper
Two Wicket-Keepers with WK designation going into the World Cup for India. Both Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson offer great value as we expect them both to feature at the top of the Indian batting order, no matter who is wearing the gloves!
Rishabh Pant - Wicket-Keeper
Sanju Samson - Wicket-Keeper
Rishabh Pant's journey back from a near-fatal car crash in 2022 has been well-documented. There were fears that he might never play cricket again, let alone walk. However, his return to cricket has been incredibly promising. Pant made a strong comeback in the 2024 IPL season, leading the Delhi Capitals and showcasing excellent form. Despite the Capitals finishing in 6th place, Pant had one of his best seasons statistically, averaging 40.55 runs per game. This performance has propelled him back into conversations for an Indian call-up almost instantly after his return. While there may be competition from players like Sanju Samson, Pant seems to have secured his place as the primary choice for the gloves. You can confidently select Pant when it comes to making your selections!
Predicted Starting XI
Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Rishabh Pant
Shivam Dube
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
