Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have ended their 14-month T20I exile to return in IND vs AFG series. With that, they are now first two names to be in the squad for T20 World Cup 2024. However, Virat-Rohit’s immunity could be bad news for Rinku Singh, India’s designated finisher.
There are two sides of the story:
- Rohit-Virat returning to India T20I squad brings in the experience and match-winning skills.
- Inclusion of the two disbalances the squad and forces selectors to overlook genuine talents in IPL.
Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma return: A good news?
As fans celebrate the return of two giants of world cricket, they also bring in the same problems that lost India in T20 World Cup 2021 & 2022.
By choosing Kohli & Rohit, India Cricket Team cannot afford someone like Ishan Kishan, who has failed at No 5 slot. With Suryakumar Yadav being the designated No 4, India have slot for only an opener.
Now, despite outscoring Rohit Sharma in IPL, which is going to be the selection trial this time around, both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have to fight for a spot in T20 World Cup 2024. Only one of the two can find a place. And with that, India have the Top 4:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill/ Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
Where does Rinku Singh fit in?
Be it IPL or India colours, Rinku Singh is India’s best finisher at the moment. However, he can only play if a fragile Hardik Pandya can bowl four overs every game in T20 World Cup 2024.
If Hardik is not available to bowl, India lose the entire balance and Rinku Singh will find no place. The reason?
- India need a wicketkeeper like Dinesh Karthik who can bat at the lower order.
- In the current scenario, Jitesh Sharma seems to be the best choice at No 6 or 7 considering he bats at the lower order.
- But it also ends any hopes for KL Rahul, Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan. All three of them can bat in 1-5 positions.
- If India pick someone like KL Rahul or Sanju Samson, they have to bat No 5 or 6.
- That essentially means Hardik bats at 7.
- India’s No 5-7: 5. Rinku Singh, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Jitesh Sharma
Hardik Pandya: The most important player
By blocking two spots, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made Hardik Pandya the No 1 player in Team India. There is no replacement for Hardik who can bowl at 140KPH and can score match-winning knocks. Hence, to fit Rinku Singh, India need Hardik to play the role of a third seamer.
But if Hardik does play the role of a third seamer, India have to drop either Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh or Avesh Khan or Mukesh Kumar. India can only pick two seamers.
But if that’s the case, where does Ravindra Jadeja bat? Jadeja has batted at No 6, 7. But in this current scenario, Jadeja can only bat at No 8 or drop Jitesh Sharma to No 8.
That way, Jasprit Bumrah takes No 9 slot while one pacer and Ravi Bishnoi take the remaining two spots.
However, if Hardik is injured again or he is out of form, India have no other option but to drop Rinku Singh for a specialist.
India’s likely Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2024:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill/ Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj/ Mohd Shami/ Arshdeep Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
