The Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2022 was announced earlier this evening. Early impressions of the squad does bear a familiar look. There weren’t many surprises as far as the squad is concerned. But an injury to their star allrounder, Ravindra Jadeja, throws the team’s plans out of place. India has looked to cover all bases through the 15-member squad assembled.
Let’s look at India’s T20 WC Squad SWOT Analysis:
#1 Strength
India’s 15-member squad has 15 names who could walk as specialists into the team. There is not a single name who has walked in basis their secondary skill. This was a pattern on which the earlier Indian teams for ICC events were selected. Right from the top order to the finishers, everyone walks into the team owing to their specialized skill.
The bowling too is an interesting combination with as many as 7 bowlers picked. India has picked 4 seamers (3 right-arm, 1 left-arm) and 3 spinners (1 wrist-spin, 1 off-spin, 1 left-arm orthodox). They have picked two designated keepers in Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul might also step in if the need arises.
#2 Weaknesses
India’s squad boasts of just a single allrounder in Hardik Pandya. Ravindra Jadeja’s absence is bound to hurt the team big time. The balance of the team goes for a toss in his absence. India has a like-to-like replacement in Axar Patel. Patel is arguably a better bowler as compared to Jadeja. But the side will miss Jadeja’s big tournament experience.
The pace department too lacks venom. Jasprit Bumrah is the only tearaway fast bowler among the four selected. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh bank on discipline. Harshal Patel, the fourth pacer in the squad relies mainly on pace variations.
It can be argued that India could have fielded a quick bowler (Umran Malik, Mohammad Shami) in the main squad who could be the point of difference. But they have rather shown faith in the tried and tested combination.
#3 Opportunity
It has been 9 years since India last won an ICC event (Champions Trophy, 2013). They won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have returned empty-handed ever since. Rohit Sharma, as captain, has delivered results for his IPL team. He has also led the Indian side admirably. But THE ASIA cup loss will act as a deterrent ahead of the T20 World Cup. He will be keen to add this silverware to the team’s cabinet in his first-ever ICC tournament as captain.
#4 Threat
India has tried far too many combinations in the build-up to the World Cup. It appears as if they don’t have a settled combination yet. They will look to field their final XI in the 6 games ahead of the mega event. India has lost agonizingly in the past few ICC tournaments owing to questionable team combinations. They will be wary of not making the same mistake again.
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