India’s disappointing run at the T20 World Cup 2021 came to a sudden end. They were always behind the eight-ball post losing their first two games in the league stage. The Indian team was found wanting on intent, energy, and team selection. lets see some possible changes in India’s T20I Squad For The New Zealand Series.
It was the first time since 2012 that the Indian team failed to qualify for semis in an ICC event. India needs to revamp its T20 structure. There is a T20 World Cup scheduled next year in Australia. It will be ideal if India bring in a few fresh faces starting with the series against New Zealand.
India’s T20I Squad For The New Zealand Series :
Top-order changes:
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli have been on the road for India right through the England tour. It is almost certain that Kohli will skip the T20I leg of this series. KL Rahul would also like to have a break in between. Shreyas Iyer will in all likelihood make his comeback in Kohli’s absence. Ruturaj Gaikwad might come in place of Rahul.
As Rohit Sharma is tipped to be the next T20I captain, he is expected to feature in the series, else a player like Prithvi Shaw might come in. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are certain to retain their places.
The middle-order conundrum:
India’s middle-order for all its worth failed to put in a champion-worthy performance in the World Cup. The trio of Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja are all expected to be rested.
India need to groom another batting allrounder preferably in the top-order. But as India’s top-order is already chock-a-bloc, the only place where India can look to accommodate an allrounder is at number 4/5/6.
Venkatesh Iyer looks like a good prospect. He will look to come in Pandya’s place. Axar Patel and Sanju Samson will be like-to-like replacements for Jadeja and Pant.
T20 bowling specialists need to come in:
India’s bowling resources looked jaded and out of depth in an ever-evolving T20 format. India will be better served to field in T20 bowling specialists as compared to having all format bowlers.
The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami need to be phased out. Deepak Chahar and Mohammad Siraj will be ideal replacements for the duo. Jasprit Bumrah deserves to rest after playing cricket non-stop. India will look to draft in either Avesh Khan or Harshal Patel in his absence.
Ravichandran Ashwin was India’s standout spinner in the World Cup. He is certain to retain his place in the squad. Varun Chakravarthy was India’s biggest disappointment and picking him in favour of Yuzvendra Chahal proved to be a mistake. Chahal is expected to regain his spot in the side. Rahul Chahar got just a single game and he might just get a longer run.
This is how we expect India’s T20I side for the New Zealand series to look:
