India T20 WC Squad: Jasprit Bumrah Injury: In 15 days’ time, the selectors will have to submit a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. Chetan Sharma-led selection committee will sit with head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma in Mumbai after Asia Cup 2022 to decide. The good news is that India already have a 13-member set squad. The bad news is injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. Follow T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The selectors won’t know until the Australia and South Africa series whether both will be fully fit. While India have options, they are not experienced. If both are ruled out, selectors will go back to Mohammed Shami as a spot fix. But the contention for two spots are between a specialist spinner, a specialist batter and a pacer.
“There is still about two-and-a-half months left for the T20 World Cup. Before that, we have the Asia Cup and two home series against Australia and South Africa. So, more or less 80-90 per cent of your team is set, of course, there could be three-four changes if at all depending on the conditions,” Rohit Sharma declared recently.
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India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
If Asia Cup 2022 squad is anything to go by, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson may not cut it in the T20 World Cup. One of Iyer, Samson and Kishan will find a place in the travelling reserves. That leaves India scrambling their head for an additional pacer and a specialist spinner.
India T20 WC Squad: Who are certain to make T20 World Cup Squad?
1. Rohit Sharma (C): Being the captain of the ship, he is a certainty barring any late injuries.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 17, Runs: 461, HS: 64, Avg: 28.71, SR: 140.54, 50s: 3
2. KL Rahul (VC): The selectors have retained their faith in KL Rahul and he keeps his vice-captaincy slot. He is certain to open in Australia. While many have questioned his sluggish approach compared to what Rohit has laid out for the team, he has backed up his claims with tons of runs in IPL and T20Is. But his injury and loss of form is a concern.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 3, Runs: 80, HS: 65, Avg: 26.66, SR: 125.00, 50s: 1
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
3. Virat Kohli: While Virat Kohli would have walked into any team as a first-choice, his recent dip in form is well-documented. It especially gives selectors a headache when the likes of Deepak Hooda and Ishan Kishan make strong claims for the No 3 slot. Hence, for the former India captain, the Asia Cup 2022 will be crucial. He has to hit the top gear. Else, he may see him fall out of favour. But there are questions on the other places.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 5, Runs: 116, HS: 52, Avg: 23.20, SR: 119.58, 50s: 1
4. Suryakumar Yadav: A truly flexible batsman who can open, bat at No 3, 4, 5 and if required at 6, Suryakumar is India’s No 1 T20 batter. He has sealed his place in India’s white-ball teams.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 16, Runs: 509, HS: 117, Avg: 33.93, SR: 175.51, 50s: 3, 100s: 1
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
5. Rishabh Pant (WK): He is No 1 choice for a wicketkeeper. While Dinesh Karthik was preferred in the match against Pakistan, he is still expected to be India’s No 1 gloveman in Australia. It’s not just his keeping skills but his batting flamboyance, particularly in Australia is well-documented. He is certain.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 16, Runs: 293, HS: 52, Avg: 26.63, SR: 132.57, 50s: 1
6. Hardik Pandya: The only seam-bowling all-rounder in India’s plans is Hardik Pandya. He can bowl four overs and bat at No 6. His fine return to form makes him an indispensable player for India. He was the match-winner against Pakistan and he is one of the first names in the squad.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 14, Runs: 314, HS: 51, Avg: 34.88, SR: 144.03, 50s: 1, Wickets: 11, Economy: 8.25
7. Ravindra Jadeja: In Washington Sundar’s absence, he is India’s true spin-bowling all-rounder. Jadeja is certain to keep his place barring any late injury.
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 8, Runs: 201, HS: 46, Avg: 50.25, SR: 141.54, 50s: 0, Wickets: 4, Economy: 8.04
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The experienced pacer has enjoyed da purple patch in white-ball cricket. His deadly swing and accuracy in death bowling are crucial to India’s plans. He is a sure-shot starter.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 21, Wickets: 27, Economy: 6.92, BBI: 4/13
9. Yuzvendra Chahal: After controversially dropping him for the T20 World Cup 2021, Chahal has returned to form. From being IPL purple cap owner to his exploits in India colours, he is India’s No 1 spinner in white-ball cricket at the moment.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 14, Wickets: 16, Economy: 7.14, BBI: 3/20
10. Dinesh Karthik (WK): The veteran player has reignited his form and is now India’s go-to player at the death. While it’s still not certain whether he will make it to the Playing XI ahead of Ravindra Jadeja, he is certain to be on the flight to Australia.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 16, Runs: 193, HS: 55, Avg: 21.44, SR: 133.10, 50s: 1
11. Deepak Hooda: He is the front-runner for the No 3 backup spot while can also play at No 5 or 6. He is also flexible with batting positions like Suryakumar Yadav. What puts him ahead of Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson is that he can bowl. His off-spin could be handy.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 9, Runs: 274, HS: 104, Avg: 54.80, SR: 161.17, 50s: 0, 100s: 1
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
12. Arshdeep Singh: With Harshal Patel injured, Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a legitimate option considering the form he is in. He has been supremely effective at the death overs. He has kept his calm and has got wickets at the death while keeping it quiet. Being the only left-arm seamer in India’s current arsenal, he is expected to be on flight to Australia.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 7, Wickets: 11, Economy: 6.69, BBI: 3/12
13: Deepak Chahar: Slowly regaining full fitness, Deepak Chahar is another pacer to book his berth in the T20 WC. While he has returned from injury after 6 months and is yet to play a T20 match, he showed how effective he could be in the powerplay. In the two matches since his return from injury, he was not only effective but also a potent weapon.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 6, Wickets: 6, Economy: 10.06, BBI: 2/15
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
Injury Concerns:
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead has suffered an injury setback at the wrong time. He is missing the Asia Cup 2022 and is racing against time to be fit for T20 World Cup. While the BCCI and the selectors are hopeful that he will be able to return for Australia and South Africa series at home, the timeline is tight. It’s his old back injury that has resurfaced. But if he is 100%, he will surely have a place.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 3, Wickets: 3, Economy: 5.30, BBI: 2/10
Harshal Patel: Another man down with injury is Harshal Patel. Following T20 World Cup, Harshal emerged as an ideal option who could contribute a little with the bat. However, he has suffered an injury setback at the wrong time as well. Out of Asia Cup with a rib injury, he is expected to recover for T20 World Cup. If he does, he will on that flight.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 17, Wickets: 23, Economy: 8.58, BBI: 4/25
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
India T20 WC Squad: Who are still in contention to make T20 World Cup Squad?
Axar Patel: Axar Patel is a genuine option as he has established himself as a T20 all-rounder. However, he is more likely to be a spin-all-rounder backup rather than featuring in Playing XI. However, any late injuries and he will find himself in the main squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin: In a curious case, Ashwin was suddenly recalled after not utilising him for 6 months. While he did not play against Pakistan, he is still in contention for a place due to his sheer experience and exploits in Australia.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 5, Wickets: 6, Economy: 6.10, BBI: 2/22
Ravi Bishnoi: India’s googly expert doesn’t have a lot of variety but he uses his googlies well. In fact, out of 6 balls, he bowls 4 googlies. That could be a potent weapon against powerful hitters. He is still in contention ahead of Kuldeep Yadav.
Avesh Khan: An IPL star, Avesh Khan hasn’t had a smooth ride in his international career. He has been poor in death overs and hasn’t used his intelligence in desperate situations. He has been lucky to find a place in Asia Cup squad thanks to injuries of Bumrah and Harshal. He is in contention due to those injuries but if Deepak Chahar is at 100%, it will be difficult for him to find a place.
Since T20WC 2021: Matches: 14, Wickets: 12, Economy: 8.71, BBI: 4/18
India T20 WC Squad: Squad submission DEADLINE in 15 days, 13 players CONFIRMED, 5 players in contention for 2 remaining spots, Follow LIVE Updates
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Editors pick
