India have enlisted wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant in their 15-player roster for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States in June, as declared by the country's cricket board (BCCI) on Tuesday.
Pant underwent a life-threatening accident in December 2022 necessitating numerous surgeries, causing him to miss last year's Indian Premier League (IPL) and India's 50-overs World Cup endeavor on home soil.
The 26-year-old has gradually returned to form following his resurgence in this year's IPL, registering three half-centuries and amassing 398 runs in 11 matches to sway the selectors.
The skipper of Delhi Capitals, Pant, wasn't the sole player rewarded for his IPL exploits, as Chennai Super Kings batsman Shivam Dube also clinched a spot in the squad after amassing 350 runs in nine matches.
Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan were designated as reserves, however, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul didn't find a spot.
Sanju Samson was chosen instead and will serve as Pant's understudy.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India aims for a second title in the June 1-29 tournament after their victory in the inaugural edition in 2007.
Rohit's deputy in a formidable lineup, featuring Virat Kohli and young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal, will be Hardik Pandya, who struggled to regain top form in the IPL post his return from an ankle injury sustained during last year's 50-overs World Cup.
Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will reinforce the pace bowling division led by Jasprit Bumrah, while Yuzvendra Chahal is part of a quartet of spinners alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.
India reached the semi-finals two years ago in Australia, succumbing to eventual champions England.
They kick off their campaign against Ireland in Group A, with the fixture slated for New York on June 5, preceding their showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan in one of the event's most anticipated encounters four days later.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
