The Indian cricket team's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is set to be finalized, with a key selection battle emerging at the top of the order. The senior selection committee, led by chairman Ajit Agarkar, will convene in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon to name the team for the global tournament beginning on February 7, as well as for a preceding bilateral series against New Zealand.
The Settled Core and the Opening Conundrum
Under the leadership of captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian think-tank has largely maintained a consistent group of players since the last T20 World Cup. The squad announced is expected to closely resemble the one that recently played T20 Internationals against South Africa, indicating a preference for stability.
However, one significant point of discussion revolves around the opening position. Shubman Gill, who was brought into the T20 setup and appointed vice-captain, has struggled for runs since his return during the Asia Cup. This dip in form has opened a window of opportunity for others.
Timing his performance perfectly, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan smashed a century in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, throwing his name back into the selection mix. Despite this, the direct replacement for Gill, should the selectors decide to make a change, appears to be Sanju Samson. Promoting Samson as an opener would also create flexibility in the middle order for an extra all-rounder or specialist batter.
Rinku Singh's Role and the All-Round Advantage
Another selection puzzle involves the middle order. Rinku Singh, known for his finishing prowess, has been a part of the T20 squad but faces stiff competition from all-rounders. In recent times, the team management has shown a clear preference for multi-dimensional players.
This shift in strategy saw Washington Sundar being preferred over Rinku. With Hardik Pandya firmly entrenched in the finisher's role and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma also in contention, Rinku might be viewed as surplus. Washington Sundar offers a compelling alternative, providing a vital off-spin bowling option, especially on the slower pitches expected in India and Sri Lanka during the World Cup.
Washington's ability to bowl in the powerplay and create favourable match-ups against left-handed batters adds significant balance to the squad, a factor that likely weighs heavily in the selectors' deliberations.
The Likely Squad Composition
Barring these key debates, the rest of the squad is predicted to be straightforward. The pace attack is set to be led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. The spin department will likely feature Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, alongside all-round spinning options Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
The batting lineup is expected to include Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube, alongside Pandya and the primary wicketkeepers. While Ishan Kishan has made a strong late case, the presence of Samson and the team's structure mean his chances for the main squad are slim, though he could be considered for the reserves list, especially if backup opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's fitness remains a concern.
The final announcement on Saturday will reveal whether the selectors stick with the established order or make a bold, form-driven call with the T20 World Cup just under two months away.
