T20 World Cup ladder: Hardik Pandya drops out from top 15; Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal soar in week 4 of our rankings

Hardik

Hardik Pandya drops out from our World Cup ladder out of the top 15. (Agency)

India’s top stars continue to stay put at the top of our T20 World Cup Ladder standings as we head into week 4.

The Indian Express’ previous T20 World Cup Ladder standings had Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah emerging as our pick for the first name the Indian think tank should write on the list to catch the plane to the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. Bumrah overhauled skipper Rohit Sharma who holds ground at number two for another week. However, the top 15 is still lacking the cohesiveness of a well-rounded squad with key all-rounders and fast bowlers floundering in their displays.

This is why The Indian Express sports team will run the T20 World Cup Ladder, a daily form tracker of sorts where we try to slip into the shoes of the Indian think tank and try to work out what Team India will look like for the World Cup 2024.

Here’s how the T20 World Cup Ladder works and how you can participate as well: Player positions on the T20 World Cup Ladder will be updated every week by The Indian Express sports team.

But if you think Virat Kohli should definitely make the cut into the Indian team, or if you think India should gamble on Rishabh Pant in the T20 World Cup, we’d like to know your thoughts on our T20 World Cup Ladder. Write to us: [email protected]

IPL

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, Monday, April 15, 2024. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

1. Jasprit Bumrah 3/14, 0/36 | 8* & 0/26, 2/22 | 5/21, 0/27 (Last Week Rank: 1)

A sensational five-wicket haul at the Wankhede against RCB displayed the artistry of Bumrah yet again. The MI pace ace is working his variations to the best, leaving batters with little room to thwart his plans and counter him. Bumrah’s economy stands at an enviable 6.08, stamping his class as the best pace bowler of the league thus far.

2. Rohit Sharma: 43, 26 | 0, 49 | 38, 105* (Last Week Rank: 2)

Rohit Sharma ended his half-century drought with his first hundred in 12 years in the league against Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai. Although he remained unbeaten, Rohit could not see off the chase for his side. Rohit’s tempo during the knock has copped criticism from a few corners. However, the India captain has been at his best in terms of striking in recent years, going at a 167-plus strike rate, which augurs well for him in the lead-up to the World Cup.

3 Virat Kohli: 21, 77, 83* | 22, 113* | 3, 42 (Last week rank: 8)

It has been a mixed week amidst a couple of defeats for Kohli. In a highly-anticipated duel against Bumrah in Mumbai, Kohli failed to set the tone for the contest, falling cheaply within the PowerPlay. There was not much he could do later when RCB were set a record T20 chase of 288 against SRH in Bengaluru. Kohli’s ultra-aggressive approach earned him a quick 42 off 20 balls, even as he did not look in complete control throughout the knock.

4 Kuldeep Yadav: 2/20, 1/41, DNP | DNP, DNP | 3/20 (Last Week Rank: 5)

Back from a niggle that kept him out of three games, Kuldeep snapped up three wickets in a crucial win for the Delhi Capitals over Lucknow Super Giants. Kuldeep’s wicket-taking form has been the reason behind his rise in India colours in recent times, and this streak will hold him in good stead for a stint in the USA and West Indies in June.

5 Axar Patel 21 & 0/25, 15* & 1/21, 7* & 1/20 | 0 & 0/18, 8 & 2/35 | 0/26 (Last Week Rank: 4)

While wickets have not come by steadily, Axar continues to play an important role for Delhi Capitals by choking runs in the middle overs. Axar is forging a potent partnership with teammate Kuldeep for DC, and it could be a viable force that India could deploy in the coming months in the format.

6 Rinku Singh: 23, 5* | 26, 9 | DNB (Last week rank: 6)

It has been a frustrating campaign from an individual perspective for Rinku thus far. He has not done much wrong on his part, but for the sheer brilliance of the Kolkata Knight Riders top-order, the left-hander has not had the best of hits in the middle as yet. Hopefully, the lack of game time will not dent his credentials in the lead-up to the World Cup selection.

7. Shubman Gill: 31, 8, 36 | 89*, 19 | 72 (Last week rank: 8)

A counter-attacking 72 in a 197-run chase against Rajasthan Royals may have just shown a glimpse of Gill’s expanding repertoire as a T20 batter. With two big knocks under his belt in his last three games, Gill may be peaking at the right time in the tussle for an opener’s slot with Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal and others in the mix.

8 Yashasvi Jaiswal: 24, 5 | 10, 0 | 24, 39 (Last Week Rank: 7)

While he has toned down his aggression in his last two outings, the Rajasthan Royals opener has yet to return to his fluent best. Jaiswal will hope the latest knock – his longest so far – will help him chart a way back to his best to retain his spot in the Indian top-order for the World Cup.

9 Arshdeep Singh: 2/28, 0/40, 2/30 | 0/33 | 4/29, 1/45 (Last week rank: 10)

While a four-wicket haul signalled a return to his best albeit in a losing cause, Arshdeep’s succeeding figures of one for 45 underlies the woes with the left-armer. The mercurial seamer, however, remains among India’s lead pace options, with other contenders walking through a similar run of wavering returns.

10 Ravi Bishnoi: 1/38, 0/25 | 0/33, 1/8 | 2/25, 0/17 (Last week rank: 9)

As the battle within the spin department hots up, Bishnoi has lost a bit of grip in the race. With the wickets column drying up, Bishnoi will want to make more use of the surfaces at his home ground in Lucknow. The leggie will be in direct contention with Yuzvendra Chahal, who might entice the selectors with his recent outings for RR.

11. Shivam Dube: 34*, 51, 18 | 45, 28 | 66* (Last week rank: 13)

A whirlwind 66 not out against MI at his home turf in Wankhede has propelled Dube’s prospects of making the World Cup further. With consistency backing his power-hitting methods, Dube is currently ahead of multiple middle-order contenders in terms of batting form, including his direct competition in Hardik Pandya.

12 Suryakumar Yadav – DNP, DNP | 0 | 52, 0 (Last week rank: 12)

A swashbuckling 17-ball half-century against the RCB marked the return of Suryakumar in emphatic fashion. However, a two-ball duck was to follow against CSK, briefly halting a smoother climb back to the top of the ladder.

13. Ravindra Jadeja: 25&0/21, 7 & 0/15, 21* & 1/43 | 31* & 0/30, 3/18 | 0/37 (Last week rank: 11)

Jadeja’s fluctuating returns with the ball and diminishing presence with the bat will be a serious point to consider for the selectors in the upcoming weeks. With as many as four spinners faring better with the ball, Jadeja will stand on the fringes, with his experience being the only serious factor that goes in his favour.

14. Sanju Samson: 82*, 15 | 12, 69 | 68*, 18 (Last week rank: 16)

With two solid knocks under his belt in the last three outings, Samson is making a compelling case to finally break into a World Cup squad. The RR skipper’s presence behind the stumps was also crucial in a win over Punjab Kings. However, it remains to be seen if Samson can maintain the same vein of form in the upcoming matches.

15. Rishabh Pant: 18, 28, 51 | 55, 1 | 41(Last week rank: 17)

The audacious shots across the park are returning in streaks as Pant continues to make gentle, assured strides forward in the race for the World Cup. With his fitness holding positively, the left-hander will be India’s favoured gloveman even as his past T20I returns make for an underwhelming reading.

16. Yuzvendra Chahal: 1/25, 2/19 | 3/11, 2/34 | 2/43, 1/31 (Last week: 18)

Six matches into the tournament, Yuzvendra Chahal has braved tricky phases of play and menacing batters to stand atop the bowling charts with 11 wickets. Having missed out on successive World Cups, it is unclear whether the veteran leggie will have a quick look back into the scheme of things. However, Chahal has shown his powers are still potent enough to fox the best of bats in the IPL.

17 Hardik Pandya: 11 & 0/30, 24 & 1/46 | 34, 39 | 21* & 0/13, 2 & 2/43 (Last week rank: 14)

Hardik Pandya’s woeful campaign extended to another week, with the MI skipper failing to fire in a crucial clash against CSK at home. Returning to bowling after a break of two games, Hardik has picked up two wickets in as many games while conceding 56 runs. An MS Dhoni mauling in the final over with three consecutive sixes has thrown up serious concerns over his spot for the World Cup, even as he remains vital to India’s balance.

18 Mohammed Siraj: 0/38, 2/26, 0/46 | 12 & 1/47, 1/35 | 0/37, DNP (Last week rank: 15)

Mohammed Siraj’s lacklustre returns during a disastrous RCB campaign eventually led to his exclusion from the XI after five matches. Having played only a handful of T20Is in recent years, the right-arm pacer may not have been in the running if not for Mohammad Shami’s injury. His recent returns may force the selectors to head another way, even as his exploits in the other two formats continue to offer him some cushion.

The rest

19 Ruturaj Gaikwad: 15, 46, 1 | 26, 67* | 69 (Last week rank: 21)

20 Tilak Varma: 25, 64, 32 | 6 |16*, 31 (Last week rank: 20)

21 Jitesh Sharma: 9, 27, 6 | 16 | 19, 29 (Last week rank: 19)

22. Riyan Parag: 43, 84* | 54*, 4 | 76, 23 (Last week: 25)

23. KL Rahul: 58, 15 | 20, 33 | 33, 39 (Last week: 22)

24. Avesh Khan: 0/21, 1/29 | 1/30, 0/46 | 1/48, 2/34 (Last week: 23)

25. Khaleel Ahmed: 2/43, 1/24, 2/21 | 1/43, 1/39 | 2/41 (Last week: 27)

26. Ishan Kishan: 0, 34 | 16, 42 | 69, 23 (Last week: 31)

27. R Ashwin: 1/35, 29 & 0/30 | 16 & 0/27, 0/28 | 0/40, DNP (Last week: 24)

28. Dinesh Karthik: 53*, 83 (New Entry)

29. Dhruv Jurel: 20*, 20 | DNB, 2 | DNB, 6 (Last week: 26)

30. Mukesh Kumar: 1/49, 3/21 | DNP, DNP | 1/41 (Last week: 28)

31. Mohit Sharma: 2/32, 1/36, 3/25 | 1/38, 0/34 | 1/51 (Last week: 29)

32. Mohsin Khan: 2/29 (New Entry)

For previous T20 WC ladders –

Week 3

Week 2

For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS