IPL in sight, but World Cup in mind!

In a little over three months, India will spare no effort to deliver on the promise of attaining the pinnacle of World Cup glory they so gloriously won at home 13 years ago, starting with their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5. Thanks to the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), otherwise the Men in Blue would have had to risk being in the final leg of the World Cup build-up period.

Discounting the mosaic of IPL's spirited clashes, India has no T20 matches lined up before the World Cup. A hard-fought three-match home series against Afghanistan was all they had this year. Not only India, but most of the other sides among the top five nations have similar schedules, give or take a few T20Is. Yet, on the whole, India is playing fewer matches than most. What does it mean for the two-time World Cup champions?

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"IPL will get over on 29th (May). They have less than a week to get back on their feet. The calendar was planned accordingly, so we don't miss out on players due to fatigue. I don't think less matches will hamper their preparation for the World Cup. They already know what they are capable of, and the board has full confidence in each of them," a BCCI insider told Mid-Day on Friday.

"Cricket never stops. They are always playing. Of course, this World Cup will be challenging in every possible manner because of the venue. But let's not overthink, India has been playing exceptionally well in limited-overs. We'll see how it goes," he added.

The upcoming 17th edition of the IPL holds a profound significance in shaping the dynamics and strategies for the impending World Cup that will see the USA hosting an ICC event for the first time in history. The league, with its star-studded line-up of international players and competitive franchises, will be a microcosm of the T20 format, setting the stage for the pinnacle event.

Former national selector and founder of KheloMore Jatin Paranjape said playing in the IPL would give players an advantage leading up to the World Cup, and hinted that prolonged rest before the tournament could be counterproductive.

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"With IPL and the T20 World Cup being the same format, the selection committee will be looking closely at which players are in form towards the latter half of the IPL. New destinations will not be an issue as most of the pitches will be ‘drop-in pitch'. The India v Pakistan game, for example, will be played in New York on a drop-in pitch from Australia. This will probably be the biggest ever India-Pakistan clash (sic)," said Paranjape.

Needless to say, the IPL 2024 will serve as a litmus test for players aiming to secure a spot in their national T20 squads for the World Cup. The performances in the IPL will act as a decisive factor for selectors, providing them with real-time evidence of a player's form, fitness, and adaptability. This will add an extra layer of intensity to the tournament this year, as players will not only compete for the glory of their franchises but also eye a coveted spot in the national squad. The cut-throat competition in the IPL, therefore, will elevate the standards of play and ensure the best-performing players earn their rightful place on the grand stage.

This, however, brings to mind skipper Rohit Sharma's recent remarks about giving opportunities to only those who show ‘hunger' to perform. Barring a few established stars, the spotlight will be on the management's introduction of youthful exuberance into the national squad and this is where IPL plays its role. The infusion of young blood will help the management lay the foundation for a seamless transition from stalwarts of yesteryear to the burgeoning stars of tomorrow.

The coming few months will play a crucial role in how things shape up for Rohit's India. The selectors have a big task ahead of them, because in the end, forging a harmonious amalgamation of seasoned stalwarts and promising prodigies, is never easy. They are the ones to take the blame if India underperforms.

A squad is not merely composed of the playing XI, but also of an ensemble of reserves poised to step into the breach in the event of injuries or tactical adjustments. The selectors must gauge not only the proficiency of the starting lineup but also the readiness of the substitutes to seamlessly integrate into the team, maintaining its competitive edge even in the face of unforeseen contingencies. But unlike last year, be prepared for shock twists this time.