2021 Cricket World Cup – India’s opportunity?

The 2021 Cricket World Cup.

Can India finally win the trophy again after 2007’s heroics?

In the previous article, I had discussed Pakistan’s probable squad for the T20 World Cup. In this article, I will share my opinion on India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.

India is perhaps the unluckiest team in recent years having lost almost every ICC tournament during the knockout stages.

In order to correct their mistakes and win their second 2021 Cricket World Cup, we ask what should India’s T20 squad be?

Top Order

• Shikhar Dhawan

T20I stats: 64 innings, 1673 runs at 27.9, SR:127.4, 11 fifties

Shikhar Dhawan is a batsman of high-quality. He often excels inside the powerplay and has the record for scoring the most fours in IPL history. He can get off to fast starts to allow Rohit Sharma to settle from the other end.

• Rohit Sharma

T20I stats: 110 innings, 2800 runs at 31.8, SR:138.1, 21 fifties

Rohit is arguably the best-limited overs opener in the world at the moment. He is the second leading run-scorer in T20Is, just behind Virat Kohli. He takes time to get into the game when he bats, which is why either KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan opening with him is imperative.

• Virat Kohli (c)

T20I stats: 88 innings, 3079 runs at 51.3, SR:138.7, 27 fifties

As a top-order batsman, Kohli is an exceptional player. The Indian skipper is the leading run-scorer in T20Is with an exceptional average of 50.8. His place in this squad is without a doubt and he will also captain the team.

A shoo-in at the 2021 Cricket World Cup.

Also, Read: Picking India’s all-time T20 XI

Middle Order – 2021 Cricket World Cup

• Shreyas Iyer

T20I stats: 27 innings, 550 runs at 29, SR:134, 3 fifties

Shreyas Iyer is an excellent player of fast bowling. His pull shot is full of class. He is a traditional player who does not improvise much. He often sticks to the basics which help his consistency. Iyer has been a superb stalwart for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL since 2015.

• KL Rahul (wk)

T20I stats: 48 innings, 1557 runs at 40, SR:142, 12 fifties

My first choice wicket-keeper will be KL Rahul due to his recent performances. Also, he has taken the gloves which allows the team to play an extra batsman.

He has started batting down the order and finishing the games in the World Cup will be his duty. He can accelerate the innings and strike rate of 146.1 justify his hitting abilities.

• Rishabh Pant (wk)

T20I stats:31 innings, 512 runs at 21, SR:123, 2 fifties

Rishabh Pant is my backup keeper and can also be in the team if Rahul opens the innings. Due to his recent poor form, he will not be my first choice keeper but can provide an option in the batting lineup.

Also, Read: Is Rishabh Pant underrated?

All-rounders

• Hardik Pandya

T20I stats:

batting: 47 innings, 435 runs at 18, SR:143

bowling: 43 innings, 40 wickets at 26.5, ER:8.16

Pandya is the best all-rounder India currently has. Having a strike rate of almost 150, he can single-handedly take the games away from the opposition.

He is also very valuable with bowling and can provide the team four overs at a good economy rate. His high pace and perfect bouncers make him the perfect fast bowler.

• Vijay Shankar

T20 stats:

batting: 70 innings, 1356 runs at 26.1, SR:129.1, 4 fifties

bowling: 48 innings, 26 wickets at 35.1, ER:8.41

Shankar is a batting all-rounder who bats in the middle order and often steadies the innings. He is not a typical all-rounder who bats in the lower order and play a quick cameo. With the ball, he is quite effective and can provide the team with a sixth bowling option.

• Ravindra Jadeja

T20I stats:

batting: 24 innings, 217 runs at 15.5, SR:112.44

bowling: 50 innings, 39 wickets at 29.5, ER:7.10

Jadeja is another all-rounder who can hit the ball hard and score some quick runs. He is a more economical bowler and not a wicket-taking option. He bowls quickly and does not turn the ball much which would be very useful in Australian conditions.

Also, Read: The top 5 best services to stream live cricket online for free

Bowlers – 2021 Cricket World Cup

• Yuzvendra Chahal

T20I stats: 48 innings, 62 wickets at 25.4, ER: 8.4

Nowadays wrist spinners are very effective in T20 cricket and it is a must to play at least one wrist spinner in the team.

Chahal is a wicket-taking option in the middle overs and can help India to restrict the scoreboard in middle overs. He turns the ball away from the right-hander and has a very good googly.

• Kuldeep Yadav

T20I stats: 20 innings, 39 wickets at 13.8, ER: 7.11

Another wrist-spinner but a chinaman is perhaps the key bowler for India. Kuldeep has a lot of skill and many options like leg-spin, google, or his stock deliveries.

The duo of Chahal and Kuldeep form a deadly combination.

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar

T20I stats: 47 innings, 43 wickets at 27.6, ER: 7.06

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a bowler who can swing the ball at a good pace. He has improved his pace a lot after his comeback which has helped him in the death overs and with the new ball.

He is also much economical having an economy rate of 7.04. A guaranteed starter if fit.

• Jasprit Bumrah

T20I stats: 49 innings, 59 wickets at 20.2, ER: 6.66

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the finest bowlers in the world. He has an unorthodox action which some batsman find difficult to pick.

Besides having unorthodox action, he can bowl at 145 kph which can also trouble batsmen. His pinpoint accuracy while bowling yorkers and an excellent slower delivery make him a reliable option in most games to bowl at the death and also to open the bowling.

• Muhammad Shami

T20I stats: 12 innings, 12 wickets at 36, ER: 9.8

Muhammad Shami is another exciting fast bowler and a wicket-taking option for India. He is rapidly but sometimes concedes too many runs in an attempt to pick up wickets.

He has improved his pace by shortening the strides of his run-up which helps him in the T20 cricket.

• Navdeep Saini

T20I stats: 9 innings, 13 wickets at 18.1, ER:7.15

Saini is another young bowler who has a hunger for taking wickets and a passion for thriving in international cricket.

He has played very little international cricket but his current form guarantees his place in this squad.

Also, Read: The top 5 best death bowlers in the world

First choice playing XI

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Muhammad Shami

main photo:
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