The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup is set to begin on October 17 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Many fans would know that India initially had the rights to host the competition. The BCCI then decided to stage the competition in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Because of this decision, for the first time in T20 World Cup history, there will be two countries co-hosting the tournament.
All the previous T20 World Cup events happened in one nation only. Now, Oman will play host to a few qualifying matches and UAE will host some qualifying games as well as Super 12, semifinals and final of the competition. The Indian squad for the tournament came out yesterday. There were some big surprises in the squad. You can see the full squad here:
India squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant(w), Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Openers of India in ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (c)
Looking at the success they achieved as an opening pair in the final T20I match against the England cricket team at Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this year, it is likely that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will open the innings for the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup.
Many experts feel the best batsmen of the team should face the maximum deliveries. Sharma and Kohli are currently the best batters in the team. So, they should open.
Middle-order: KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant (wk)
KL Rahul is likely to bat at the number three position. He opens for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, but since Virat Kohli is likely to open for India, Rahul may take up the number three position. Suryakumar Yadav is the number one contender to take up the number four position. Unless India wants a left-hander in the Top 4, the Top 4 will remain the same.
Rishabh Pant will bat at the number five position. The left-handed batsman has shown that he can turn the game in a matter of a few deliveries. He will also keep the wickets for the team.
All-rounders of India in T20 World Cup: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin
Hardik Pandya at number six and Ravindra Jadeja at number seven gives the batting lineup enough depth. The presence of Ravichandran Ashwin further makes the Indian batting stronger.
It has been confirmed that Hardik will bowl his full quota of overs in the T20 World Cup. Thus, it should not be a surprise if he is used as the third pacer. Jadeja and Ashwin will also bowl the full quota of the overs in the bowling department.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to open the bowling and bowl in the slog overs for the Indian cricket team. Both pace bowlers have done well in the shortest format of the game. They should be preferred ahead of M Shami.
The last position in the team will be a toss-up between Varun CV and Rahul Chahar. Since the team management has shown faith in Chahar by picking him ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal, there is a high chance that they will play Chahar in the 1st match.
