With the Indian selectors slated to meet on Wednesday to pick the squad for the T20 World Cup, TOI presents the likely combination.
Virat Kohli (captain): While there’s a growing pressure on him to win an ICC trophy, this tournament could well be his redemption song. He offers the option to bat in the middle order as well as opening the innings, as he had suggested earlier in the year.
Rohit Sharma: India’s most prolific white-ball batsman in the last five years picks himself. His captaincy experience also comes handy for Kohli.
KL Rahul: One of the most consistent openers in T20 cricket. Also offers the wicketkeeping option.
Suryakumar Yadav: The 30-year-old has been a pillar in the middle-order for Mumbai Indians and has carried his form into international cricket too. Can anchor, rebuild and attack.
Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper): The powerful southpaw’s reputation has grown as a match-winner over the last year. Oppositions fear his presence in the middle.
Hardik Pandya: Impact all-rounder. He has been prepped by BCCI and Mumbai Indians to bowl in the T20 World Cup and has the ability go big with the bat from ball one.
Ravindra Jadeja: Another crucial all-rounder. Bowls tight left-arm spin and can change gears with the bat according to the situation. Gun fielder.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: One of India’s most consistent white-ball seamers has looked in fine form after coming back from injury in March.
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s trump card. Lethal fast bowler at all stages of an innings.
Shardul Thakur: Latest sensation. A death-over specialist with the ball, and his ability to hit big is a huge plus.
Yuzvendra Chahal: The leg-spinner has been Kohli’s go-to man in the last four years. Form has been indifferent over the last year, but his experience could come in handy.
Shreyas lyer: A steady middle-order bat, could be a backup for Suryakumar.
Shikhar Dhawan: The team management has been reluctant to play him in T20 cricket. But his IPL form and experience to play on slower tracks in the UAE could give him the edge over Prithvi Shaw.
Deepak Chahar: The seamer could be a backup for Bhuvneshwar. His batting has been a revelation of late. Could add depth to the lower order.
Varun Chakravarthy: The team management is excited about having a mystery spinner in the ranks. However, his dodgy right shoulder could be a matter of concern.
STANDBYS
Rahul Chahar: It could be a toss up between the Mumbai Indians’ leg-spinner and Chakravarthy.
Prithvi Shaw: The choice could be between Dhawan and Prithvi. The flamboyant Mumbai opener has shown he could get into the fifth gear quicker than Dhawan.
Mohammed Siraj/Shami: While Siraj is red-hot, he is yet to establish himself as a T20 bowler. Shami’s experience and wicket-taking ability could give him an edge.
Axar Patel: Like-for-like backup for Ravindra Jadeja.
Washington Sundar: His selection is subject to recovery from a finger injury.
ICC’S FINAL-15 DEADLINE
The deadline to submit the final 15 names to ICC is October 10, a week before the tournament begins. ICC has allowed seven extra members in a squad due to Covid restrictions. Each team can have 30 members, including the support staff, and any extra member travelling with a team will be its board’s responsibility.
In effect, boards can have any number of players on standby staying in the bubble outside the final 15 submitted to ICC. One can expect a few changes to the list announced on Wednesday once the IPL gets underway on September 19.
