What Should Be India’s Ideal XI At T20 World Cup?
India started their Asia Cup sojourn on a high winning two games back-to-back. They got the better of Pakistan and Hong Kong. It all looked hunky dory for the defending Asia Cup champions. But their wheels have unravelled quickly since then. India for the first time since T20 World Cup 2021 has lost two games on the trot. Here we have discussed What Should Be India’s Ideal XI At T20 World Cup in detail.
Team combination hurting the team:
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding India’s style of play. But the major bone of contention for their defeats has been their inability to field the best playing XI. India has 6 games post the Asia cup to fix their playing XI. The team has to make some tough decisions based on form, fitness, and overall combination.
We look at what should India’s ideal playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2022 be:
#1 Openers: (1 & 2)
India had to wait for a long time to field a fit KL Rahul back into the side. Rahul has immediately shown the urgency required as per the team’s needs. Rohit Sharma has continued batting in top gear right from ball one. But the team needs a right-left hand combination at the top. Opposition can choke the openers with wrist and left-arm spin.
India would do well to send in a left-handed batsman to open along with Sharma. They don’t seem to have an option other than Rishabh Pant who fits in the top order. This move could finally bring out the best in Pant, the T20I batsman, whose credentials are at an all-time low.
Certainty – Rohit Sharma
Options – Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul
#2 Middle-order: (3, 4 & 5)
Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav are certainties at numbers 3 and 4. India tried different options in the absence of Kohli at 3. They slotted Deepak Hooda at 3 who gave the best returns at that position. But Hooda’s case looks all but over for the World Cup. India needs Hardik Pandya to play at number 5. It is a position he thrived in while playing for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. The team needs to stop tinkering with these three spots heading into the World Cup.
Certainty – Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya
Options – Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson
#3 Finishers: (6 & 7)
It is one big grey area for the Indian team. They have tried multiple personnel for this role. None apart from Dinesh Karthik have aced the finisher’s job. But his position in the team comes with a rider. He is one of the best in the business when it comes to batting in 16-20 overs. But can the team risk playing someone who can’t be used as a floater? India needs to answer this big question.
If Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t recover in time for the World Cup, it opens up a huge pandora’s box. India could look at an out-of-box choice in Rahul Tewatia. He has been a proven finisher for his IPL teams. Tewatia could also give 2-3 overs every game. Axar Patel continues to fly under the radar. But he too can step up to the big role in the World Cup.
Certainty – Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik
Options – Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia
#4 Bowlers: (8, 9, 10 & 11)
India’s courageous play post-T20 World Cup 2021 was largely owing to their batting depth. They had the comfort of Harshal Patel and Deepak Chahar batting at numbers 8 and 9. The duo is the only two seamers with power-hitting credentials. Unfortunately, both of them are coming off from injuries. India will be keen to field either of them directly at number 8.
Ravichandran Ashwin as a lone spinner might be a big gamble but he has a fantastic T20I record. If India chooses him ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal, then they have the luxury of playing batters till number 9. In a big tournament like the World Cup, it might prove to be a huge factor.
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the first names in the side. He will be the leader of the attack in the World Cup. India has tested many seamers but none have caught the eye. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s form has dwindled in the Asia Cup. He is no longer a sure-starter in the XI. India needs a wicket-taking seamer who could break open the game. They can look at Mohammad Shami, who did this role to perfection in IPL 2022.
Certainty – Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel
Options – Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar
India’s Best possible playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant
- Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya
- Dinesh Karthik/ Rahul Tewatia, Ravindra Jadeja / Axar Patel
- Deepak Chahar / Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal / Ravichandran Ashwin
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar /Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
