India Squad T20 WC: Deepak Hooda, R Ashwin & Axar Patel in 3-way BATTLE to DECIDE 1 SLOT in Indian Playing XI for Pakistan

India Squad T20 WC: Ahead of the India vs Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup match, India have just 2 more warm-up matches to figure out the player who will bag the last slot in the playing XI. Men in Blue face Australia and New Zealand on October 17 and 19 respectively. India captain Rohit Sharma will use these matches to decide the one slot in the potential playing XI against their arch-rival Pakistan. For this spot, there is a clear three-way battle between Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda, and seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Follow India T20 World Cup live updates with InsideSport.IN

The IND vs AUS warm-up match will start at 9:30 AM (IST) on Monday
India play archrivals Pakistan in their tournament opener on October 23.
India lost their second practice match against Western Australia XI on Thursday.

India Squad T20 WC: 2 WARM-UP matches to DECIDE 1 SLOT in Indian Playing XI for Pakistan, Deepak Hooda, R Ashwin & Axar Patel in 3-way BATTLE, Check OUT

Also Read: IND vs WA XI: Western Australia skipper Ashton Turner and KL Rahul SWAP signed shirts at WACA – CHECK Out (insidesport.in)

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Let’s do this #TeamIndia @cricketworldcup, here we come ✈️ pic.twitter.com/XX7cSg3Qno

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2022

Axar Patel

It’s no surprise that Axar Patel is the front-runner for the spot in the playing XI ahead of Ashwin and Hooda.

So often a key threat in India’s bowling attack, Patel enjoyed a prolific September, running into the WC. Claiming a total of nine wickets at an average of 11.44 and with a superb economy rate of just 5.72, he most notably excelled in the home series against Australia, where he took three for 17 in Mohali, two for 13 in Nagpur, and three for 33 in Hyderabad to underline his significant credentials as a key asset for India in the shorter format.

Axar Patel, a left-arm off-spinner, can surprise even though he isn’t very deadly with the bat in hand. Axar has the ability to bowl and contribute during powerplays. He would love bowling under Australian conditions, where vast boundaries prevent hitters from relying solely on technique.

Axar Patel

The big worry for Axar is only that Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma might only use one spinner during the T20 World Cup due to the non-spinning conditions. And that’s where the team’s premium spinner Yuzvendra Chahal can get ahead of the southpaw.

Unlike the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, India would avoid playing musical chairs this time because a couple of losses could eliminate Men in Blue from the tournament.

India Squad T20 WC: Ravichandran Ashwin

If there is Ashwin in the team, one thing you can always rely on is his experience, especially Down Under. And the veteran spinner proved this in last practice match against Western Australia XI. Ashwin bagged three wickets in the 2nd practice match. In his 3/32 spell, all wickets came in the same over as the seasoned bowler rattled Western Australia XI.

Ashwin is currently directly threatening the spot of India’s first-choice spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, in the Playing XI for the T20 World Cup.

R Ashwin

The wickets in Australia are suited for pacers primarily. But teams always play a spinner for variety of purposes. And India have a history of playing spinners, irrespective of the surface.

So far, it is quite evident that the Chahal is India’s first choice. In the first practice game, Chahal played and also scalped two wickets. But in the second game, during his final over, the 36-year-old Ashwin only gave away two runs, while picking the wickets of Turner, Sam Fanning, and Jason Behrendorff. Taking into account Yuzvendra Chahal’s topsy-turvy form, Ashwin’s performance comes as a massive boost to the Rohit Sharma-led side. Now it will be interesting to see what combinations India will play in the last two matches ahead of the WC opener.

Deepak Hooda

Hooda most likely won’t be included in India’s World Cup starting lineup. However, there are enough suggestions that management is looking for a spot on the team for him. He batted higher up the order in both the first and second practice game.

He is one of the players who can bowl handy off-spin and can also serve as a floater. In the event of an injury or changes to the team lineup, the management can use these games to get him ready for the World Cup.

Deepak Hooda

In the second practice game, he bowled two overs and leaked 22 runs. Despite getting enough time to bat, he scored only six runs vs WA XI.