The world’s most challenging T20 extravaganze is just a few more weeks away, as most times are now geared up for the final phase of their preparation. Defending champions Australia will be the hosts for the 8th edition of the WT20. In just a year’s time after the previous edition, a lot has changed in the landscape of T20 cricket globally. New ICC rules have been introduced, new heroes have emerged and cricket is finally restoring its old normalcy in the post-pandemic world.
The Asian countries ahead of the mega championship tussled for another crown for the title of Asia Cup and thereby will have the edge of adjusting to the hurdles of a multilateral series. Strong contenders for the trophy, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have even announced their squads making a strong power move prior to the tournament. With other teams currently zeroing it down to build a formidable outfit, let’s take a look at how India is coping with the ongoing proceedings.
The big challenge for Rohit Sharma and co.
The Asia Cup loss does come as a shock to the Men In Blue but the revival of players like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya have been strong pluses for them. The drought of ICC trophies in the cabinet in the past few years has haunted the side with sharp criticism of their ability to capitalize in knockout games.
The champions of the inaugural WT20 met their worst fate in the history of the tournament last year, where two back-to-back losses in the first matches showed them an early door to exit. Since then, the BCCI has been constantly on its toes to rebuild the unit. With Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid as the new men at the helm of affairs, the aim has been set clear – dominance in ICC championships across all formats. But surprisingly, when other teams have more or less formed their ideal XI for the WT20, Team India is still experimenting with its team combination.
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Who will be behind the wickets and who can be the best replacement to Ravindra Jadeja in the all-rounder department are the two big questions the selectors need to address. In Australia where spin has little role to play on the bouncy fast tracks, whether the side will back Chahal and Ashwin who have had an underwhelming patch or a young turk like Ravi Bishnoi gets a chance will be interesting to watch. The growth of Arshdeep Singh in the death overs has been a great positive for the bowling unit as alongside Bumrah, the two can form a deadly pair.
The serious questions
Former veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also picked Deepak Chahar as a potential choice, courtesy of his expertise in swing and decent batting skills. Many cricket pundits also argue in favour of seasoned campaigner Mohammad Shami, who seems to be no longer a part of the scheme of things. After a lacklustre performance in the last WT20, Shami bounced back with an incredible season in the IPL for champions Gujarat Titans. Pant’s inconsistency in T20Is has left his place in doubt. The southpaw will face stiff competition from fellow wicket-keepers like Dinesh Karthik, Samson and Ishan Kishan.
A key member of India’s maiden WT20 winning team, RP Singh recently shared his preferred 15-member squad for the tournament. Singh advocated for the inclusion of chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav as a more attacking option in the middle overs. His squad however had no place for Deepak Hooda, and Ravi Bishnoi but named Ashwin, Samson and Hooda as reserve players.
RP Singh’s squad for WT20 22: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, Deepak Chahar.
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India play Aus and SA in late September-October
Another former India cricketer who recently hogged all limelight as the coach of the IPL champions Gujarat Titans had Harshal Patel as the only change in the current Indian squad. Both Harshal and Bumrah missed the Asia Cup owing to injuries. Robbie Uthappa lauded India’s pace bowling attack for their exploits with the white ball across all conditions. With Bhuvneshwar, Bumrah and Harshal as his lead fast bowlers, the former WT20-winning cricketer stressed on Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar as incredible additions.
The selection committee is likely to announce India’s WT20 squad in the coming week. The Men In Blue will next host the Proteas and the Aussies for a bilateral T20I series before they take the flight down under.
