Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan Set to Return Home After India vs Canada T20 World Cup Fixture

Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan could return home following the USA leg at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Picked as part of a four-member travelling reserve, Gill and Khan have travelled with the team to Florida in a chartered flight for both Indian and USA players, where the Men in Blue face Canada in their last group match on Saturday (June 15).

After India’s third group game against the co-hosts USA at the Nassau Country Cricket Stadium in New York, both teams flew to the other part of the country for their league game, with the USA facing Ireland on Friday (June 14).

Meanwhile, Gill and Khan were just part of the squad till the first round and expected to stay back in case of an injury. However, considering Fort Lauderdale will host India’s last group match and the city is flooded with consistent rains, India’s game might get washed out, leaving Gill and Khan with no option but to head back home.

While the seamers seem to be doing fine thus far in 3 matches, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will come into the picture once India get into the Super 8 mode in the Caribbean, where the pitches are likely to assist the spinners.

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Despite Gill and Khan leaving the Indian camp, the Men in Blue would have 2 backups in Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed, with rookie opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also waiting in the wings to get a chance.

With India leading Group A, their Super 8 schedule looks set. India will face Afghanistan on June 20 in the first game in Barbados, most likely Bangladesh 2 days later on June 22 in Antigua and the mighty Aussies in their final Super 8 match on June 24 in St. Lucia.

Should they win at least 2 of their 3 matches or all three, India will qualify for the semis, where they will play in Guyana on June 27, and if they win the semis clash, India will be in the final that will take place in Barbados on Sunday.

India face Canada next

Although the weather could play spoilsport in India’s last league game against Canada, they are still the favourites in case the match gets underway.

With them already sealing the Super 8 spot, India could make changes to their XI, giving a chance to the benched players, including the spin duo of Chahal and Kuldeep.

India could also try Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top by probably resting Captain Rohit or out-of-touch veteran Virat Kohli.