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First Group of India Players Depart for T20 World Cup, Notable Absences of Kohli and Pandya
A contingent of Indian cricketers, including captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, recently arrived at Mumbai airport to embark on their journey to the USA for the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably absent from the first group of departing players were Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, sparking speculation and questions about their status.
Pandya's Absence Amidst Divorce Rumors
Hardik Pandya, who was initially expected to be part of the first batch of players departing for the USA, was conspicuously absent. This absence has fueled rumors of turmoil in his personal life, particularly in relation to his speculated fall-out with his wife, Natasa Stankovic. While neither party has officially addressed the rumors, reports suggest that Pandya is currently in London for a brief training stint and is expected to link up with the national team directly from there.
Kohli's Absence Unexplained
The absence of Virat Kohli from the first batch of departing players was also unexpected, as reports had indicated that both he and Rohit Sharma were among the first group to leave for the T20 World Cup. However, Kohli was not spotted with the group, and no official reason has been provided for his absence at this time.
Remaining Players and Departure Schedule
In addition to Sharma and Jadeja, other team members who departed with the first group included Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, along with the support staff and head coach Rahul Dravid. The team is scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Dubai before boarding a connecting flight to New York.
RR Players to Depart Separately
Players from Rajasthan Royals (RR), including Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are scheduled to leave with the second batch of Indian players. Their departure follows the conclusion of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, which ended with RR being defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Qualifier 2.
India's Full T20 World Cup Squad
The full squad for India's T20 World Cup campaign includes Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.
India's Quest for T20 World Cup Glory
Team India will be aiming to capture the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy, which would end an 11-year wait for an ICC title. Pandya's leadership and all-round ability are crucial to India's chances of success, and his presence in the team will be essential if they are to achieve their goal.