India’s T20 Team In 2024: India’s approach to T20 cricket has been widely questioned. It appears as if the team is still sticking to an outdated template in crunch situations. India for all its talent pool doesn’t seem to be utilizing them completely. It is imperative that the team starts preparing for the next T20 World Cup in a new direction.
We look at what should India’s T20 team in the 2024 World Cup ideally look like:
#1 Openers: 1 and 2
It was the openers who arguably let the team down the most in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. There is a growing voice to include Prithvi Shaw in the lineup no matter what. He is arguably the most free-flowing batter in the country. Rishabh Pant can be the ideal foil to Shaw at the top.
Shubman Gill is also a sound alternative. Ishan Kishan too is a fine option as he brings in the left-handed option in the top order. Venkatesh Iyer with his ability to bowl a few overs can be a good prospect too.
Definite picks:
Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant
Other alternatives:
Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer
#2 Middle order – 3,4, and 5
It was Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav who shouldered India’s batting in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Kohli’s strike rate in the semis though came into scrutiny. It is important for middle-order batters to accelerate and not just play anchor. Suryakumar Yadav at 4 and Hardik Pandya at 5 have pretty much sealed their spots.
It is the number 3 position that needs revisiting. Sanju Samson is the most likely candidate to take up the spot. India has a lot of options in Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, and Rajat Patidar to own the spot. Left-handed batsman Tilak Varma will be an interesting addition too.
Definite picks:
Sanju Samson/ Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya
Other alternatives:
Rahul Tripathi, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma
#3 Finishers – 6 and 7
Ravindra Jadeja will naturally slot in at number 6. India could groom players like Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Shahrukh Khan for the number 7 spot. Seam bowling all-rounders is an area the team needs to focus primarily on. A bowling or a batting allrounder who could send down a few overs of pace will be the best bet to seal the spot at number 7. Raj Bawa has the potential to occupy this slot.
Definite picks:
Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar/ Raj Bawa
Other alternatives:
Rahul Tewatia, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shahrukh Khan
#4 Bowling allrounders – 8 and 9
England has shown India what depth in batting could do to a side. India will be well served to address these three key areas for the next World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin walked in at number 7 in the semis. It showed the sorry state of affairs for the team down the order.
India needs to fix this long-standing issue of single-dimension players. This is where the IPL can be used to identify bowlers who are good with the bat too. Deepak Chahar is the pick of the lot but his fitness remains a concern. Mohsin Khan impressed in whatever chances he got in the last IPL.
Definite picks:
Deepak Chahar/ Harshal Patel/ Shivam Mavi, Mohsin Khan
Other alternatives:
Mukesh Choudhary, Kuldeep Sen, Yash Dayal
#10 Wicket-taking bowlers
There are a lot of social media experts who believed Yuzvendra Chahal should have been a certainty in playing XI. But India couldn’t afford to play Chahal as that would hamper the team’s balance. This left them with no option but to field finger spinners. India would do well to groom wicket-takers who could break the game open in the middle overs.
Ravi Bishnoi is a natural choice for this role. Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness is a concern, India has found an able alternative in Arshdeep Singh. He is expected to shoulder India’s attack in the next T20 World Cup.
Definite picks:
Ravi Bishnoi/ Kuldeep Yadav/ Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh/ Umran Malik/ Mohammed Siraj
Other alternatives:
S Sai Kishore/ Rahul Chahar, Avesh Khan/ Kartik Tyagi
