India Squad T20 WC: India Tour of West Indies: Team India has exactly 66 days to confirm its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The ICC has set September 15 deadline for the cricket boards to submit the squads. But the likes of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer besides Axar Patel are yet to seal their places. The West Indies series will be one benchmark besides the Asia Cup 2022. Follow India vs West Indies Live Updates on InsideSport. IN.
While India have finalised 11 players already, Virat Kohli who would have walked into any team, is still waiting for a confirmation. The former Indian captain’s dip in form has his place under huge threat. He now has massive competition with Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer and even Ishan Kishan.
Amongst others, Shreyas Iyer, Umran Malik and Axar Patel too have not yet punched their ticket to Australia for different reasons.
India Squad T20 WC: Two months to go for September 15 deadline, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer yet to CEMENT place in India squad: Check who may MISS OUT
Also Read: OUT of FORM and struggling, ODI cricket Virat Kohli’s last REFUGE before a potential AXE
India Squad T20 WC: Who have confirmed their spots?
- Captain Rohit Sharma is an automatic choice despite his lukewarm form.
- Vice-captain KL Rahul will walk into any team, provided he is fit.
- Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant (wk) are the two other batters who are a must in Team India.
- Hardik Pandya who has regained his form and fitness is crucial to India’s plans and he has already sealed his place.
- The other all-rounder who will trump others will be Ravindra Jadeja. Not only he can bowl 4 overs but his batting too will give India the depth.
- The other spinner to book his spot is Yuzvendra Chahal. He has been a revelation since IPL.
- Amongst pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be key so they will two of the first names.
- The third pacer slot will go to Harshal Patel as he has been impressive since IPL last year.
- The pace-trio has proven themselves with their match-winning performances to ensure that they do not miss the flight to Australia.
- Dinesh Karthik is the other option who has all but confirmed his place as a finisher.
- Ishan Kishan will also walk in but only as a back-up opener.
- Deepak Hooda is other batter who will walk in considering the form he is in. But only as a squad member.
India Squad T20 WC: Two months to go for September 15 deadline, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer yet to CEMENT place in India squad: Check who may MISS OUT
KL Rahul can also walk into the Indian team, but the player has been out of action due to sports hernia surgery in Germany last month. He has not played any competition match post IPL 2022. Provided he recovers on time and proves his fitness to the selectors, he is almost a surety in the Indian team. If fit, he is expected to open alongside Rohit.
India Squad T20 WC: Two months to go for September 15 deadline, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer yet to CEMENT place in India squad: Check who may MISS OUT
India Squad T20 WC: Who are yet to seal their deal?
- Virat Kohli: He has just 12 matches to get his form back. If not, he can be dropped if selectors go by form over reputation.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: Unlikely to feature in plans after wasting his opportunities
- Sanju Samson: It is a curious case. He has been in plans but has hardly got his chances against strong opponents.
- Shreyas Iyer: He has ebbed and flowed and will have to pull off two great series to be in contention.
- Axar Patel: Hasn’t quite clicked of late and Jadeja will get the nod over him.
- Umran Malik: Hasn’t quite impressed in India colours. He hasn’t even found his speed and has bowled below 150 in Ireland and England.
- Mohammed Siraj: Not a certainty as he has extensive competition from emerging players like Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan.
- Prasidh Krishna: Could be in the scheme of things especially after an impressive IPL.
- Arshdeep Singh: Made a fantastic debut but he will have to wait for his chance.
- Ravi Bishnoi: Likely to be India’s third spinner but it will be difficult for him to find a place in the 15-member squad due to extreme competition.
- Avesh Khan: He has done well and is in the running for a spot in the squad. If he does well in West Indies, his place could be confirmed.
- Deepak Chahar (Subject to fitness): He would have walked in but he is yet to recover and hasn’t played any cricket in the last six months. That could keep him out.
India Squad T20 WC: Two months to go for September 15 deadline, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer yet to CEMENT place in India squad: Check who may MISS OUT
Can Virat Kohli be dropped? – Yes, he can be if selectors consider form over reputation. The biggest talking point for now as of now is Kohli. he is under immense scrutiny, more than ever. He has not been amongst the runs for quite some time now.
Former cricketers like Venkatesh Prasad and Kapil Dev have questioned his place in the team. The next 60 days including the ODI series against England and competitions like Asia Cup could be his final chance.
On the contrary, even players who have fared better like Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer have not confirmed their berths. The batting order is congested as ever. Hooda has a chance due to his flexibility to bat anywhere in the order. For the second wicket-keeper slot, Kishan may be favourite. But Dinesh Karthik has been tried as a finisher of late after his IPL exploits.
It would not come as a surprise if he is taken as the second wicket-keeper to Australia. They also have Shreyas Iyer in the mix if they want to strengthen the middle order.
India Squad T20 WC: Two months to go for September 15 deadline, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer yet to CEMENT place in India squad: Check who may MISS OUT
With the team playing in Australia, India already have Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja. If the team management feels the need of third spinners, either of Ravi Bishnoi or Axar Patel could get the nod.
However, there is great competition in the pace department too. Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj have been doing well of late. But with India having zoomed in on Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel as their three players for the playing XI, it just depends on how many pacers they want as back up. Considering it is Australia’s bouncy pitches, Malik and Siraj are ideal contenders. Do not rule out Prasidh Krishna too.
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