Asia Cup T20 India Squad: 5 big questions for selectors – After finishing with the West Indies T20 series, the focus for India shifts to the mega Asia Cup T20 tournament. The matches will be an audition for the T20 World Cup 2022. Naturally, the selectors have five big questions as they finalize the squad on Monday, (August 8). Follow Asia Cup T20 India Squad Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
· KL Rahul Fitness: Should he be selected subject to FITNESS? When to test his FITNESS? Has he recovered from Covid-19?
· Arshdeep Singh is a complete certainty for the squad / Bumrah, BHUVI certain – who to pick between Avesh or Harshal? Is it time to spell out the end of Mohammed Shami T20 Career?
· In all likelihood, Shreyas Iyer will get the BOOT from the T20 Squad – What to do with Iyer? As Kohli comes back how to accommodate off-color Iyer – LIKELY to GET BOOT
· Who will be the 2nd SPINNER? Selectors will also have to choose between R.Ashwin or Ravi Bishnoi as 2nd specialist spinner in the squad.
· Hardik Pandya as PERMANENT VICE CAPTAIN
ASIA CUP T20 India Squad: 5 Big questions in front of SELECTORS as they pick Indian squad for Asia Cup in Dubai, Selection meeting on Monday: FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
With India resting the majority of senior players for the West Indies series, and some eyeing comeback from injury, selectors have a big task of who to pick and drop. While some like Arshdeep Singh and Dinesh Karthik have nailed their spots, the others like Shreyas Iyer and Avesh Khan have not capitalized on the opportunities.
1. KL Rahul
The biggest question is KL Rahul’s fitness. The right-hand batter last was seen playing an IPL eliminator against RCB in May. Since then, he has missed South Africa T20 series, the England T20 series, and West Indies one due to injury. Worst, Rahul was likely to return to India squad for the T20Is against Windies, but he tested positive for COVID-19. The 30-year-old is the designated opener of the side, but on what parameters they can select him.
First of all, has he recovered from COVID? If yes, then will the selectors test his fitness for Asia Cup, or will they directly include him? In Rahul’s absence, India tried six opening combinations, and amongst them, Ishan Kishan emerged the most successful as he scored over 300 runs in T20Is in 2022. Suryakumar Yadav also scored 76 in the third T20 against West Indies.
ASIA CUP T20 India Squad: 5 Big questions in front of SELECTORS as they pick Indian squad for Asia Cup in Dubai, Selection meeting on Monday: FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
2. Arshdeep Singh
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is making the selectors’ job difficult by putting on superb performances one after another. In just four T20Is the 23-year-old has picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 6.52. He also has the best economy rate for bowlers in the death overs since the T20 World Cup 2021. He is also the only left-hand option available in the team. With Avesh Khan not cashing on his chances in the T20 series against West Indies and Mohammed Shami not selected in the T20 format, Arshdeep looks a certainty in the Asia Cup.
3. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has struggled big time in the T20Is. He has been peppered with short balls from South Africa and Windies bowlers and he is falling into the trap. In the last 10 T20 innings, the right-hand batter has failed to score a fifty. With Kohli being rested for the majority of T20I matches, it was a GOLDEN CHANCE for Iyer to seal the number three spot. The KKR skipper has squandered it now and with Kohli set to return for Asia Cup, the axe may fall on out-of-form Iyer.
ASIA CUP T20 India Squad: 5 Big questions in front of SELECTORS as they pick Indian squad for Asia Cup in Dubai, Selection meeting on Monday: FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
4. Spin options
Yuzvendra Chahal has been locked in as the number one spinner. He has taken more than 10 wickets in T20Is in 2022 and is in good form. The question though remains who the other options are. India have tried Ravi Bishnoi, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel Deepak Hooda, and Kuldeep Yadav. Amongst these Jadeja is likely to get the nod owing to his superior all-around skills.
Which means two spots remain. Yadav has had a good IPL picking up 21 wickets, but he got injured and missed the South Africa T20 series. He is yet to get a look in during the West Indies series. Ashwin has been given opportunities and so far, he has not disappointed. He has picked three wickets below 7 runs per over. Bishnoi has played seven T20Is and has picked nine wickets.
5. Hardik Pandya as permanent vice-captain
Hardik Pandya’s comeback has been nothing short of a fairy tale. After leading Gujarat Titans to victory in IPL 2022 season, Pandya has not looked back. He has consistently with bat and ball and has cemented his place in the team as the number one all-rounder. The 28-year-old also became the first Indian player in T20Is to have picked four wickets and score 50 runs. With KL Rahul missing the majority of T20 games in T20 in 2022, and Hardik winning a T20 series as captain against Ireland, the selectors are willing to give him the permanent vice-captaincy.
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