The BCCI secretary Jay Shah has picked his final four for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA, excluding the defending champions England and India’s arch-rivals Pakistan. Shah also touched upon the most talked-about ‘Impact Player’ rule in IPL 2024, further weighing on the yardsticks considered during team selection for the marquee events.

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Following the heartbreak India suffered at the hands of Australia in the home World Cup final last year, India geared up for the upcoming 20-team tournament starting June 2, aiming to end their ICC trophy drought.

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However, Rohit Sharma-led Indian Team will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5 before taking on Pakistan in the marquee clash on June 9 in New York. Co-hosts USA and Canada are the remaining two teams in Group A.

In an exclusive chat with the Times of India (TOI), Shah named his four semi-finalists, including the Men in Blue and favourites India.

“India, Australia, New Zealand and the hosts, West Indies, because they are good in T20,” Shah picked his final four at the T20 World Cup.

While the star power and exploits in world cricket makes India the team to beat, former winners West Indies and Australia will also threaten all participating nations.

Including New Zealand makes sense as they walk into any ICC tournament with the tag of favourites.

When asked about the yardstick behind picking the team for the ICC tournaments, Shah said the teams are not picked alone on IPL performance, as international exposure and experience also count.

His remarks have somewhat backed the selection of under-fire India captain Rohit Sharma and veteran batter Virat Kohli, who was under the radar for his strike rate in the shortest format.

Speaking on the team balance for the T20 WC, Shah said, “It has a good balance between form and experience. The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary.”

Shah’s remarks on ‘Impact Player’ rule

Impact Player rule is a controversial topic, with several cricketing greats including former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting bashing this latest introduction to IPL, calling it the nightmare for the coaches and the captains.

Shah differed on the issue, saying it’s a test case, and that the board is consulting players, teams and all parties concerned about their thought on the same. 

Although he accepts that the contest is getting exciting with this, upon receiving disapproval over its use, they can make changes to it. 

“It’s a test case. We are consulting players, franchisees and all concerned. I feel the matches are getting more interesting, more Indian players are getting a chance to play. If our consultations reveal dissatisfaction, we will change it,” he said. 

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