Who will be key for India with the bat at T20 World Cup 2024?

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is turning out to be quite a spectacle with several unpredictable results and players across the globe treating fans with some riveting action. The tournament held in the United States of America and West Indies has witnessed a few upsets already, with the USA beating Pakistan, Canada edging out Ireland, Bangladesh edging past Sri Lanka and Afghanistan thrashing New Zealand.

As the tournament gets more intense, we take a look at contenders who could be the key batter for India in the T20 World Cup 2024. India are one-time former T20 champions, having won the trophy in 2007. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, India were knocked out after losing to England in the semifinals.

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian side is the favourite to top Group A, and advance through to the Super Eight stage. If India are to go on to lift their second title, they will need their batters to bring their A game in the coming weeks.

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India’s fixtures

Check out India’s four fixtures in Group A below.

• India vs Ireland – New York – Wednesday, 5th June
• India vs Pakistan – New York – Sunday, 9th June, 8:00 PM IST
• India vs United States of America – New York – Wednesday, 12th June, 8:00 PM IST
• India vs Canada – Lauderhill – Saturday, 15th June, 8:00 PM IST

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Upcoming India match

India vs Pakistan

India win: 1.46 (22Bet)
Pakistan win: 2.88 (22Bet)

The arch rivals India and Pakistan are set to collide in what would be the biggest match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday. The men in blue are strong favourites to win the match at the odds of 1.46 on 22Bets.

The Indian team made light work of Ireland in their opening game, where Jasprit Bumrah picked 2 for 6 and Hardik Pandya snared three wickets before Rohit Sharma registered a fifty while chasing 97. India have a dominant record against Pakistan in T20 cricket with eight wins in 12 clashes and three losses. Looking at the two squads and their form, you can back India to win.

Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat in a super over finish in their opening fixture against the USA. Their batters struggled to score at a quick rate and bowlers couldn’t defend 159. But they still have a quality pace unit that could trouble India. If you are willing to take a punt on Pakistan, you can get better returns on Parimatch with the odds of 2.90.

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Top India batters since 2023

Check out the top India batters in T20 internationals since 2023.

India played the majority of their T20 internationals since 2023 featuring young players and without the senior pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The above table reflects just that with three batters who are not part of the T20 World Cup squad.

Suryakumar Yadav, who has been the best T20 batter in the world in the last three years, is unsurprisingly the highest run-getter for India in this period. Surya has scored 735 runs from 18 T20I innings since 2023, averaging 45.93 and striking at 155.06. He has blasted two centuries and five half centuries during this time.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been excellent for India in this period, scoring 502 runs from 16 innings at an average of 33.46 while striking at 161.93. The left-hand batter registered one century and four half centuries. However, he is being benched in this tournament, with India opting for Sharma and Kohli as openers for better balance.

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Who will be India’s best batter in T20 World Cup 2024?

As per the bookmakers, the top three contenders to be India’s best batter in T20 World Cup 2024 are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. India have opted to go with Sharma and Kohli as the opening pair and they will get more game-time to score runs. Pant should bat in the top four mainly, giving him ample time as well.

Rohit Sharma is the favourite to top the batting chart, having scored a superb fifty in India’s opening game against Ireland. The Indian captain had a good first half of the Indian Premier League season but then lost his form. Sharma has scored 1015 runs in T20 World Cup history at an average of 36.25 while striking at 128.48, including 10 half centuries. If you want to bet on Rohit Sharma to be the top India batter, you can do it at 3.30 on 22Bet.

Virat Kohli had a low score in the opening game and that has affected his odds. But he is the most reliable batter in the Indian batting unit, coming into the tournament on the back of an Orange Cap-winning IPL season. In T20 World Cup history, Kohli has 1142 runs at an incredible average of 76 while striking at 131, including 14 fifties. You can bet on him to be the top batter for India on BetWinner at 3.60.

The wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is looking in a better physical shape and has been in good form since making his return. Pant scored 446 runs in IPL 2024 at an average of 40.54 while striking at 155. Pant looked in good touch in the previous game, scoring an unbeaten 36. Betting on Pant to be the top India batter could be productive at 5.00 on Parimatch.

Suryakumar Yadav faces a tough challenge in these conditions but can’t be ruled out of this race as he has been the best T20 batter in the world in recent years. SKY made 345 runs in the IPL with one century and three half centuries. If you do take a punt on him, you could earn great returns at the odds of 8.00 on 22Bet.