Indian Premier League (IPL) is one among the most competitive leagues around the globe. It is often said that IPL is the second-most challenging tournament after the world events. However, this time around, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, IPL 2020 was postponed indefinitely. If the speculations are to be believed, this year's IPL might be hosted during the October-November window while the T20 World Cup gets deferred to be hosted next year.
However, if that's not the case, a lot of Indian players might find it arduous to find a place in the T20 World Cup squad. IPL is usually regarded as one of the better platforms to showcase your T20 skills, and in case the tournament is cancelled, a lot of players might miss out an opportunity to make it to the T20 World Cup.
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Here's a look at 5 Indian players who might not find a place in the T20 World Cup squad if no IPL happens in 2020:
1. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is one of the two wicket-keeping options that India might look for the T20 World Cup. However, Samson, who was given a chance to prove his worth in the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year, didn't have a fruitful outing to support his cause in the team. As a result, the IPL 2020 would have been a perfect opportunity for Samson to impress the selectors and be in the reckoning for a possible spot in India's T20 World Cup squad. With uncertainty over the staging of IPL 2020, the Kerala-batsman might feel undone over the missed opportunity.
2. Dinesh Karthik
A couple of years back, Dinesh Karthik was regarded as India's best finisher in the T20 format. However, post the awful exit from the World Cup 2019 Semi-Final, Karthik has been found missing from any of India's limited-overs team. Dinesh, who captains Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, was seeking IPL 2020 as an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in this year's T20 World Cup in Australia. However, with no IPL, even the KKR-skipper might incur a huge loss of not getting an opportunity to make it to the India squad for the big-ticket event.
The young Indian pace sensation, Navdeep Saini has been in the fray as the new pacer on the blocks. Saini has featured regularly in the Indian limited-overs squad in the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, with Kumar expected to return in India's next assignment, Saini selection in the T20 World Cup might be iffy depending upon his performances.
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With Kohli expected to go with experience in the form of Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar, there might be a straight face-off between Shami and Saini for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. And is such a scenario, IPL 2020 might have been a perfect option for the pace bowler to once again impress the national selectors.
4. Shivam Dube
The tall and lanky Indian all-rounder, Shivam Dube was roped in for the T20I series against Bangladesh last year. He was called in as a replacement for injured Hardik Pandya and did a reasonable job to continue for the New Zealand T20Is. However, post the T20I series against the Kiwis, Dube was dropped from the team and was not included for the ODIs against South Africa upon Hardik's return.
With IPL 2020, it would have been a perfect occasion for the Mumbai-born player to showcase his skills as a handy all-rounder before the T20 World Cup. With no IPL, Dube might have to wait for a longer period before he gives Pandya a tough fight for the all-rounder's spot.
5. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, who was training before the IPL was relying a lot on IPL 2020 in order to make a return to the Indian team. Dhoni, who was expected to take a call on his future, post the IPL season, might be at huge loss if the Indian T20 tournament is cancelled this year. The Indian wicket-keeper batsman can also miss the bus for the T20 World Cup if he doesn't find his old touch. As a result, the retired Test player in one among such players who might not find a place in the T20 WC squad if no IPL happens in 2020.
