All eyes turn towards India’s squad selection before any major multi-nation cricket tournament. Though they haven’t won a world title since the 2011 ODI World Cup, India remains the favourite for the T20 WC.
Before the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, India will participate in the 2022 Asia Cup, which begins on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. With the two big tournaments only two months apart, the Indian squad for Asia Cup 2022 cricket will likely be the squad for the T20 WC in October.
Contents
- 1 Here is India’s “Predicted” WC T20 squad.
- 1.1 Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- 1.2 KL Rahul (vice-captain)
- 1.3 Virat Kohli
- 1.4 Suryakumar Yadav
- 1.5 Deepak Hooda
- 1.6 Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper)
- 1.7 Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper)
- 1.8 Hardik Pandya
- 1.9 Ravindra Jadeja
- 1.10 Ashwin
- 1.11 Yuzvendra Chahal
- 1.12 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- 1.13 Arshdeep Singh
- 1.14 Jasprit Bumrah
- 1.15 Ravi Bishnoi/Avesh Khan/Harshal Patel
Here is India’s “Predicted” WC T20 squad.
| Rohit Sharma |
Captain |
3,487 runs in 132 matches Average of 32.28 Strike rate of 140.26 |
| KL Rahul |
Vice-captain |
1,831 runs in 56 matches Average of 40.69 Strike rate of 142.49 |
| Virat Kohli |
Right Handed Batsman |
3,308 runs in 99 matches Average of 50.12 Strike rate of 137.66 |
| Suryakumar Yadav |
Right Handed Batsman |
672 runs in 22 matches Average of 37.33 Strike rate of 175.46 |
| Deepak Hooda |
Batting Allrounder |
274 runs, 0 wickets in 9 matches Average of 54.8 Strike rate of 161.18 |
| Rishabh Pant |
Wicket-keeper Left Handed Batsman |
883 runs in 54 matches Average of 23.86 Strike rate of 126.5 |
| Dinesh Karthik |
Wicket-keeper Right Handed Batsman |
591 runs in 47 matches Average of 28.14 Strike rate of 140.05 |
| Hardik Pandya |
Batting Allrounder |
834 runs, 50 wickets in 67 matches Batting average of 23.17 Bowling average of 27.8 Strike rate of 144.04 |
| Ravindra Jadeja |
Bowling Allrounder |
422 runs, 50 wickets in 62 matches Bowling average of 28.54 Batting average of 23.44 Economy of 7.61 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar
|
Bowler Right-arm fast-medium
|
73 wickets in 72 matches Bowling average of 23.44 Economy of 7.3 |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
Bowler Right-arm fast
|
69 wickets in 58 matches Bowling average of 19.46 Economy of 7.4 |
The stats mentioned are from before the 2022 Asia Cup's kick-off.
Rohit Sharma (Captain)
India’s all-format captain will lead the side in the WC T20. Rohit has led the Mumbai Indians to five Indian Premier League titles. India would hope that he can replicate the domestic success in Australia. Rohit has scored 3,487 runs in 132 matches at an average of 32.28 and a strike rate of 140.26.
KL Rahul (vice-captain)
Rahul’s year so far has been a mixed bag. The regular T20 opener KL battled a hamstring injury, a sports hernia, and then contracted Covid-19 during his comeback bid. But when on a roll, it is difficult to stop Rahul. Just look at his IPL numbers.
In IPL 2022, the Lucknow Super Giants captain scored 616 runs at an average of 51.33 and strike rate of 135.38. Overall, Rahul has scored 1,831 runs in 52 T20Is.
Virat Kohli
He is a generational talent, but Kohli is also under immense pressure to score big runs. After not featuring in the tour of the West Indies and the Zimbabwe ODIs, Kohli will return to action in a blockbuster 2022 Asia Cup match against Pakistan. A strong showing in the UAE will bode well for India’s chances at the WC T20 2022.
Though he is going through a lean patch, Kohli’s overall T20I numbers are phenomenal. In 99 T20Is, he has scored 3,308 runs at an average of 50.12 and a strike rate of 137.66.
Suryakumar Yadav
A consistent performer domestically and in IPL, Yadav has finally cemented his place in the squad. Yadav, a talented striker with unorthodox shots, grabbed everybody’s attention with a blistering 55-ball 117 in a T20I against England. Yadav can perform at every batting position and can be used as a floater.
Deepak Hooda
Whenever an opportunity has come his way, Hooda has grabbed it with both hands. The all-rounder made his international debut in February 2022. This year, he played against West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland, scoring a maiden T20I century against the Irish. He has also been useful with his off-breaks.
But despite his performances, it might be difficult for Hooda to be a fixture in the playing eleven.
Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper)
He might be somewhat inconsistent, but Rishabh Pant is the most exciting wicketkeeper-batsman in world cricket today. Team India has benefitted from a more matured Rishabh Pant, who has turned into a match-winner. This year, he has played 13 T20Is, improving his average and strike rate to 26.00 and 135.41.
Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper)
With Pant as the designated wicketkeeper, it would be tough for Karthik to make the team a specialist stumper. Karthik is expected to play the role of a finisher, coming down the order and racking up runs. Whether setting up a target or chasing one, Karthik would look to carry his IPL form into the international arena.
He finished IPL 2022 with 284 runs in 14 innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore, at an average of 57.4, and a strike rate of 191.33.
Hardik Pandya
The biggest positive of IPL 2022 was Hardik Pandya’s return to form. The fiery all-rounder led Gujarat Titans to the title in their debut season. He scored 487 runs and eight wickets this IPL season. An improved Pandya has scored 281 runs and has taken eight wickets in 13 games this year.
Ravindra Jadeja
A genuine all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja has a three-pronged impact on the game. He restricts batsmen and gets breakthroughs with his left-arm spin. He contributes vital, quick-fire runs. And in the field, he is an absolute live wire, saving runs and effecting run-outs and catches.
He averages a whopping 55.33 in 2022 so far.
Ashwin
Unlike Test matches, Ravichandran Ashwin isn’t a regular in India’s T20 set-up. But he made the Asia Cup squad and is expected to travel to Australia for the T20 WC because of his experience and wily skills.
The off-spinner can wreak havoc on the opposition with several left-handed batsmen and can also pitch in with some runs. But Ashwin might find it challenging to become the regular second spinner.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Chahal is more likely to shoulder the spin duty along with Jadeja. After a brief dip in form, the leg-spinner Chahal put in match-winning performances against England and West Indies. He has taken 15 wickets in 2022. And his average of 18.13 and strike rate of 15.2 this year is his personal best since 2017.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Hampered by injuries and form concerns, Bhuvneshwar has roared back into form this year. With his variations and control, he has taken 20 wickets from 17 matches in 2022, at an impressive economy rate of 6.84. He is expected to provide breakthroughs when opening the bowling and restrict batsmen in death overs.
Arshdeep Singh
From nowhere in contention 13 months ago, Arshdeep has become the second-choice pacer for India. This is down to the thinking bowler’s control and variations. He received the Man of the Series award against West Indies for picking seven wickets in 5 matches.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah missed out on the flight to the UAE for the Asia Cup because of a back injury. But he is expected to spearhead Indian bowling at the T20 WC. A big-match player, Bumrah has pace, control, and a lethal yorker. He has taken 69 T20I wickets at an average of 19.46 and a strike rate of less than 7.
Ravi Bishnoi/Avesh Khan/Harshal Patel
The 15th spot for the T20 World Cup is a toss-up between two medium pacers and a leg-spinner. Of these three, Harshal has the best shot if he recovers from the rib injury that ruled him out of the Asia Cup. Avesh Khan can stake his claim with fiery, effective spells in the UAE. Bishnoi is an outside pick since Chahal has secured the leg-spinner slot for India.
Also, check out the official WC T20 schedule for India matches with venues.
