The Indian Cricket Team will be keen on getting its hands on the ICC T20 World Cup. The last time India got its hands on this trophy was back in 2007. The main difference was that the Indian middle-order back then looked very sorted. The middle-order needs to be a reactive game and has to adapt to different situations. This time around as well the Indian team will be keen on selecting the best available options for the World Cup in Australia. Here is a quick look at the top 5 available options for the Indian Cricket Team:
Suryakumar Yadav can go to the ICC T20 World Cup 2022:
Surya is currently India’s most dependable middle-order batter. He is an ideal fit for the number 4 position. He is the batter to have a record for scoring 7 or 8, 30+ scores consecutively. One can never forget his debut in the shortest format of the game, where he hit Jofra Archer for a six-over fine leg on his very first ball in international cricket. Suryakumar is an experienced campaigner. He might not have much experience at the international level but he has been playing IPL level cricket for over 10 years. He knows what it is like to be in the crunch moments. Harbhajan Singh calls Suryakumar the “Indian AB De Villiers”. And SKY’s 360-degree game rightly justifies the title. He takes on the spinners and hits the drives very well. SKY doesn’t have much problem while facing the short ball.
Shreyas Iyer can go to the ICC T20 World Cup 2022:
Unfortunately, Shreyas Iyer had to miss out on the ICC T20 World Cup last year. Shreyas had justified his position. But the arrival of SKY marred his chances by a bit. Also, the Indian team has been heavily backing Rishabh Pant, so that reduced Shreyas’ chances. However, there is a great chance that Shreyas will be on the flight to Australia this year. Shreyas had cemented the number 4 spot after the team selectors spoiled the party by dropping Ambati Rayudu at the ICC ODI World Cup 2019. From 2019 to date Shreyas has reigned supreme on the number 4 position. This is the longest run by a batter at this position. He plays illustrious cover drives. His performance in the recently concluded West Indies series was too good. He has an evident weakness against the short ball but he will certainly work on it.
Rishabh Pant can go to the ICC T20 World Cup 2022:
Rishabh Pant has been heavily backed by the Indian team management to play at the number 4 spot in the T20s. The story of this began at the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021. Rishabh and his skill-set are really exciting but his performances in the shortest format are average. It will be key to see if the management backs Rishabh for a few more series or will they be keen on playing KL Rahul as the keeper-batsman. The added dimension that Rishabh brings with him is the fact that he is an explosive left-hander. The Indian team doesn’t have a lefty in the top 3 unless Shikhar is picked. All fans will be excited to see Rishabh Pant’s one-handed six at the greatest stage of them all, the World Cup!
Hardik Pandya will go to the World Cup:
Hardik Pandya is a serious candidate for the number 6 position. Pandya is looking in great touch with the bat as a number 4 for the Gujarat Titans. He has been exceptional on the field too. His injury has fully recovered and if required, he can bowl an over or two. This solves the problem for the 6th bowling option. This added dimension and the energy that Hardik brings to the field are key factors. The Gujarat captaincy has improved his portfolio even more. Hardik can hit the ball a long way. He is the finisher that the Indian team has been looking for all this while. If he remains fit, Hardik on his day is the biggest match-winner. Players like Hardik are the ones who will win you the big games.
Honorable Mentions:
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Sanju Samson
- Deepak Hooda
Dinesh Karthik can go to the World Cup:
You’ll be surprised to see Dinesh’s name on the list but Dinesh has made a serious case for himself after his heroics in the IPL. Karthik is batting with a strike rate of 213.4 and has an average of more than 50. Now that speaks volumes of the skill-set he brings. He has been doing the finishing job for RCB very well. He is the reason that RCBs are still in contention. One doesn’t need to be told that Dinesh brings along with him a truck full of experience. Dinesh was also a part of the squad that played the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. Karthik has been around even before MS Dhoni. Karthik has seen the highs and lows. He was also a part of the ICC ODI World Cup 2019. His timing is exceptional. The Nidahas Trophy final in 2017 justifies his talent.
To know more go to the official website of the BCCI.
To read more such articles go to ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Top 5 Fast Bowlers for Indian Cricket Team.