The majority of India's T20 World Cup-bound players, along with their extensive support staff, are set to depart for New York on May 25. The remaining players will join them after the IPL final on May 26.
Initially, it was planned that players from teams not qualifying for the playoffs would leave for New York on May 21, two days after the final IPL league match on May 19. However, there has been a change in plans, and the first batch will now leave on May 25.
"The likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel are some of the players along with support staff who are expected to leave on May 25," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
"Earlier, the departure date for the first batch was May 21, but since India is playing only one warm-up game (vs Bangladesh on June 1), the players will get to spend some extra days at home," the source added.
Players participating in the IPL final will stay back and depart for New York on May 27. This schedule will provide the squad with ample time to adjust to the time zone difference, reducing jet lag, and ensuring they have three to four quality net sessions before their warm-up game against Bangladesh.
India will commence their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Rohit Sharma's future with Mumbai Indians unclear ahead of next IPL, hints coach Mark Boucher
(With PTI inputs)