The Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2022 was announced yesterday. While there were a few noises around a few players’ exclusion, the selection was pretty much on the expected lines. India has picked experience over raw skill. The management has shown a lot of faith in the experienced bunch. Here in this article, Let us look at Heartwarming Inclusions In Indian Team.
Hence it comes as no surprise that the average age of the squad is 27. There are a few inclusions in the team though that have kept the beauty of the sport alive.
We look at a few such Heartwarming Inclusions In Indian Team:
#1 Dinesh Karthik
His story has been nothing short of inspirational. Dinesh Karthik was the first Indian player to win the player of the match award in T20Is. He won the award back in 2007 when India first played a T20I. Karthik has since then been in and out of the side constantly. He featured in the team’s inaugural T20 World Cup win. Karthik missed out on selection for the last T20 World Cup despite being a proven performer since MS Dhoni’s retirement.
His 8-ball 29 in the Nidahas Trophy final remains one of India’s best T20I moments. Karthik made a comeback to the Indian team on the back of consistent performances in the IPL. He worked hard to ace the finisher’s role and has been selected for the World Cup primarily for this reason. At the age of 36, he has shown everyone that dreams do come true!
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
He has been part of India’s every T20 World Cup since 2012. Ravichandran Ashwin was a major force in the limited-overs too until 2017. Post-Champions Trophy 2017, India seemed to have moved beyond Ashwin. His limited-overs career was revived out of nowhere in 2021 when he was again selected for the T20 World Cup.
Ashwin hardly got a couple of games but he kept proving himself in whatever opportunities he was presented with. This time too, he has been selected ahead of the young, Ravi Bishnoi. Ashwin’s story of perseverance too is a takeaway for many youngsters who want to take up the sport.
#3 Harshal Patel
He became a household name when he ended up with the purple cap in IPL 2021. Harshal Patel’s slower deliveries became a big talking point. But his exploits weren’t enough for him to earn the India cap in T20 World Cup 2021. He got his opportunity only after India’s early exit from the tournament.
Patel has gone from strength to strength since then. He was one of the first two bowlers to be picked for the T20 World Cup 2022. Patel has earned his stripes through the hard yards. After toiling endlessly in domestic and A-list cricket, he finally managed to break through. No wonder his selection is a manifestation of his hard work, commitment, and dedication.
