India T20 WC Squad – IND vs WI T20 Series: The five-match T20 series against West Indies may look to be an easy task for Rohit Sharma-led Team India but this will be the real test for some of the players. With September 15 deadline approaching for India to submit the 15-member squad, the 5 T20s will fill a few holes in the team. With 12 players all but confirmed for T20 World Cup, as many as 8 players will be fighting for the remaining three spots including Dinesh Karthik, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Shreyas Iyer. Follow India vs WestIndies LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
- The five-match T20 series will begin on July 29
- Captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya will return
- R Ashwin has been recalled for the T20 series but his fate hangs in balance
- Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested from the series
India T20 WC Squad: 5 T20s, 3 places & up for GRABS, IND vs WI T20 series could DECIDE fate of these 8 players in T20 World Cup: Check OUT
Selectors have exactly 16 matches to confirm the squad for the T20 World Cup. And the real test begins now. Rahul Dravid may have had a fair idea on how things could go with the three-match T20 series against England but there are still some gaps left. Dinesh Karthik could not impress in England while Axar Patel failed in the only opportunity he got. With that let’s see who are confirmed for India’s T20 World Cup squad:
India T20 WC Squad:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- KL Rahul (VC)
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Harshal Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Hardik Pandya
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- TBC
- TBC
- TBC
India T20 WC Squad: 5 T20s, 3 places & up for GRABS, IND vs WI T20 series could DECIDE fate of these 8 players in T20 World Cup: Check OUT
That leaves Team India with just three places to fill. But competition for those three spots are more than ever. Virat Kohli’s poor run of form has meant India need a backup No 3. While Ishan Kishan is a certainty as a backup opener, two players are still competing for the spot of backup No 3. Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer are two players who are in contention.
India T20 WC Squad: Who are competing for the three spots?
- Kuldeep Yadav: Despite impressive IPL 2022 show, he has fallen out of favour due to injury. After recovering, the T20 series will be his biggest chance to return to the fold and especially in the T20 World Cup.
- Axar Patel: He played a match-winning knock in the 2nd ODI against West Indies. But with Ravindra Jadeja and his poor T20 form, he is yet to seal a spot in the T20 WC.
- Shreyas Iyer: Despite his fine run against West Indies, Iyer’s time is running out to ace the short ball test. All bowlers have targeted Iyer’s weakness. As T20 WC will be held in Australia, short ball will be the real test. In Kohli’s absence, Iyer has a real chance to seal the backup spot.
- Dinesh Karthik: He is all but confirmed. But his unimpressive show in England left a lot to ponder whether he can bring up the same intensity against strong teams. The 5 matches against West Indies will be his chance to perfect the finisher’s role and book his place.
- Arshdeep Singh: A victim of India’s world-class bowling attack, Arshdeep Singh hasn’t got many opportunities. But in the only match he has played, he had an impressive show.
- Avesh Khan: Too expensive and too inconsistent, Avesh Khan’s speed is the only X-factor. He is unlikely to be picked with Shardul Thakur also in the race.
- R Ashwin: From not in plans in T20s, Ashwin has once again been called up to T20 team. But it can only be termed as selection madness as he has not played for India in T20s since the series against New Zealand. But here he finds a place once again and this time, he has to ace it to be in contention for T20 WC spot.
- Deepak Hooda: His performances of late has given India a perfect Virat Kohli replacement, who can also bowl. But with Shreyas Iyer still in race, it will be a tie-breaker between him and Iyer. The Windies series will give India an idea on who can be that backup No 3.
India T20 WC Squad: 5 T20s, 3 places & up for GRABS, IND vs WI T20 series could DECIDE fate of these 8 players in T20 World Cup: Check OUT
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Players with outside chance: Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar will be two players who can still make it due to their batting abilities. However, Chahar is still recovering from a back injury. Even if he makes it back by Asia Cup, he will have exactly 11 matches to be T20 WC ready and that is not a lot of time. Shardul and Prasidh are likely to make it as travelling reserves as both have had plenty of opportunities.
Players who cannot make it:
- Sanju Samson: Too much competition in top-order and not a lot of stats to boast about.
- Umran Malik: Failed to impress at the international arena including against Ireland.
- Ravi Bishnoi: Although impressive, the youngster has strong competition from seasoned pros.
- Mohammed Shami: Despite an impressive IPL 2022 show, he hasn’t featured in any T20 matches for India since T20 WC 2021.
- Mohammed Siraj: Too expensive in the shortest format, Siraj isn’t in T20 plans for now.
- Venkatesh Iyer: Like he rose to prominence, he has disappeared. With Hardik’s return, Iyer’s chances have reduced to none. His poor show in IPL 2022 also hasn’t helped the cause.
India T20 WC Squad: 5 T20s, 3 places & up for GRABS, IND vs WI T20 series could DECIDE fate of these 8 players in T20 World Cup: Check OUT
India’s squad for 5 T20Is vs WI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (Subject to fitness), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
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