IPL 2024: Arshdeep Singh & Jasprit Bumrah - Which Other Pacer Makes The Indian Squad For T20 World Cup 2024?

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Team India will announce their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 at the end of this month or on May 1, the ICC's deadline for teams to name their preliminary squad for the show-piece tournament, scheduled to be held in June.

There is competition for many place in the Indian squad that will be led by Rohit Sharma. Right from the opener's slot to the pace bowling partner for Jasprit Bumrah all remain open as it stands.

However, Arshdeep Singh, who has done well in the ongoing IPL 2024 for Punjab Kings, may have jumped in front of the queue to possibly be the second pacer in the Indian side for the T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and the Caribbean.

Although he is not among the wickets like Bumrah, Arshdeep has shown glimpses of his ability in the death. The left-arm pacer has so far claimed 9 wickets in 6 matches at an economy rate of 9.24.

Having missed the 2022 edition, Bumrah, who has claimed 10 wickets in 5 matches for Mumbai Indians at an impressive economy rate of 5.95, is a sure shot to play in the T20 World Cup this year.

Arshdeep is likely to partner him, adding a different variation with his left-arm bowling. But who else joins the duo on the plane to the west at the end of May?

Which other pacer joins Bumrah and Arshdeep as pace bowling options in the Indian T20 World Cup 2024 squad?

With pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya also likely to be included in the squad, India may need one if not two more options in the pace bowling unit for the T20 World Cup. However, if Pandya is not available to bowl, they may look at more options.

Mohammed Shami, who was the star at last year's ODI World Cup, would have been an obvious pick in the squad to partner Bumrah and Arshdeep. But the senior pacer is currently recuperating from a surgery and is unlikely to be fit for the tournament.

So with Shami possibly ruled out, who else has done well in the IPL 2024 to warrant a spot in the squad? Mukesh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan and even Mayank Yadav all fit the category, but how have they fared recently?

Siraj was part of the trio of pacers in the Indian ODI World Cup team last year. But the 30-year-old has had a season to forget with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, claiming just 4 wickets in 6 matches at an economy rate of 10.40

Mukesh Kumar has impressed when in action with 5 wickets in 3 matches at an economy rate of 10.09 for Delhi Capitals, but the Bengal pacer has been hit with injury issues recently.

Siraj and Mukesh's teammates Yash Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed, the two left-arm pacers, have done better so far. While Dayal has claimed 5 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 8.31, Khaleel has taken 9 wickets in 6 matches at an economy rate of 8.79.

Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar, who were part of India's T20I squads in recent series, will also be considered for selection. Avesh has claimed 5 wickets in 6 matches for RR at an economy rate of 9.04. Chahar has taken 4 wickets in 4 matches for CSK at an economy rate of 9.16.

Then there is the latest speed sensation Mayank Yadav, who has been hitting 150kmph plus consistently. The LSG pacer had claimed 6 wickets in 3 matches at an econmy rate of 6.00 before he missed the last few games due to an injury.

If fit, Mayank could be a good pick for India, bowling alongside Bumrah and Arshdeep. There is also a seasoned player in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who could make an unlikley comeback to the national team.

Bhuvneshwar's teammate at SRH, T Natarajan also has been impressive, bowling those yorkers in the death. Bhuvneshwar doesn't have great numbers, but has produced some good spells. He has claimed 3 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 9.55.

Natarajan, who has also fallen down the pecking order in Team India plans, has so far taken 5 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 8.66 to garner some following ahead of the T20 World Cup.

With two weeks left until the squad announcement, there is still chance for several others to impress and earn a spot on the plane to the USA and Caribbean in June. As it stands, Mukesh Kumar stands a good chance of joining Bumrah and Arshdeep if he regains full fitness.