T20 World Cup 2024: Reasons Behind Key Indian Players' Delayed USA Departure

The first batch of Indian cricket team members for the T20 World Cup 2024 departed for the USA on Saturday, with notable absentees including Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson, and Hardik Pandya. These key players had different commitments and personal reasons for their delayed departure.

Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson were involved in the IPL 2024 playoffs, while Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians played their last match on May 17. Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, also from Mumbai Indians, left with the first group. This batch included captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Shivam Dube.

According to The Indian Express, Virat Kohli took a short break after his IPL campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He had informed the BCCI in advance about his plans. Consequently, his visa paperwork was scheduled for a later date. Kohli is expected to fly out on Tuesday, May 30.

"Kohli had informed us way beforehand that he will be joining the team late and that is why the BCCI has kept his visa appointment for a later date. He is expected to fly out to New York in the early morning of May 30th. The BCCI has agreed to his request," a BCCI official told The Indian Express.

Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson received permission to complete personal work in Dubai before heading to New York. Similarly, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was granted leave by the board. Journalist Vimal Kumar revealed on his YouTube channel that Pandya was in London and would join the squad in the USA soon.

Second Batch Departure

The second batch of players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan, is expected to leave on Monday, May 27. India will face Bangladesh in their only warm-up match on June 1 before starting their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5.