October 17th, 2021 will mark the start of the next edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. After getting postponed for a year, five years after the previous edition in 2016, ICC would conduct the World T20 this year. UAE and Oman would host the tournament, replacing India. For Team India, though, the upcoming event will be very crucial. It has been a while since the squad last tasted success in an ICC event. Hence, the men in blue will be expected to go all the way. On that note, in this article, we predict India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (VC), KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan
The best performer of India’s last limited-overs tournament, Rohit Sharma, will be vital to the nation’s plans at the World T20. Although he has not been accumulating runs in IPL, Rohit’s experience in ICC tournaments will be priceless at the top of the order. He will also be the team’s vice-captain for the event.
Currently, the second-highest ranked Indian player in ICC’s T20I rankings, KL Rahul has had a brilliant last few years as a T20 player. While he got 670 runs for the UAE in IPL 2020, he has scored more than 300 T20I runs annually in the last three years. Moreover, his wicket-keeping abilities and flexibility when it comes to the batting order make him very important for the team.
Shikhar Dhawan is likely to be present in India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. Like KL, Dhawan also did well in IPL 2020 in the UAE with a record of 618 runs. Having recently captained Team India, owing to his experience and being a left-hander, the Delhi opener will be on the flight to the event.
Batsmen: Virat Kohli (C), Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer
Although there have been a few experiments in recent months, Team India is likely to stick with a straightforward selection for this department While Virat Kohli is a sure selection as the captain, the other two spots are likely to be taken by Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer.
While SKY has had his international career off to a flyer, Iyer has been with the Indian Team for a while and deserves his chance. SKY’s IPL form makes him undroppable, and Iyer’s experience in the format and the ability to take on the spinners is likely to have him in the squad.
Wicket-Keeper: Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant has hardly played T20I cricket in 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, his attributes fit perfectly to the format and moreover, the youngster is in great form. There is no doubt that he would take up the wicket-keeper’s slot in India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. Thanks to KL Rahul, the management need not worry about a backup for the position.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar
Team India has struggled in this department in the previous editions. However, for the upcoming tournament, the management can be confident about the roster. Both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have experience and will look to add value to the XI. Extra attention will be on Hardik as he plays the role of the primary aggressor. Jaddu will be key as the No.7 in the XI.
Essentially a bowling all-rounder for limited-overs, Washington is the highest-ranked Indian spinner in ICC’s charts. The youngster has picked up 25 wickets in his career so far. He particularly did well in the powerplay at the UAE in IPL 2020. Hence, he will come in as the third all-rounder in this team.
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun CV
Although there have been issues with his economy in recent months, Yuzvendra Chahal was the highest wicket-taking spinner at IPL 2020 with 21 wickets, that too by giving just 7.08 runs an over. His immediate form is a concern, but Chahal showed signs of improvement in the recent tour of Sri Lanka. While he will be one spinner, Varun CV is likely to be the other one, mainly because of the ‘mystery element’. Of course, the Tamil Nadu spinner has shown consistency with lines and lengths that warrants a selection.
Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan
It is risky, but India could go in with only three front-line seamers if only 15 members are in the unit. Especially with two bowlers being injury-prone, it is a risky move, but if it comes off, it had been a brave step.
While Jasprit Bumrah is an automatic entry, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will partner him in the attack. His experience will be one of the main reasons for the same. On the other hand, T Natarajan comes in as the left-arm seam option, who will also add insurance in the death overs. His fitness is a concern, but a lot would depend on the second segment of IPL 2021.
