The squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in Australia was promulgated by the BCCI on Monday (September 12) which will be set in motion from October 16. The squad from the Asia Cup which suffered an early exit hasn't had to undergo much change.
India's star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel are back into the fold after having convalesced from their injuries. Another ace speedster Mohammed Shami has been included as a standby option, as far as batting order is concerned it remains the same aside top-notch all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who sustained an injury which ruled him out of the marquee tournament.
Airing his thoughts on India’s batting order who on his channel has always been forthright with his opinions on the Indian cricket is the former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria as he casts a shadow on the Indian squad.
He is convinced that India’s fate at the T20 World Cup pivots on how the top three from the batting order fare. Whereas Kohli had a great run at the just concluded Asia Cup with glimmering signs of return to form, which also saw a stunning century in the tournament, Kaneria’s misgivings regarding captain Rohit Sharma and vice captain KL Rahul's inconsistency still loom large.
"While Virat Kohli has returned to form, the likes of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul must score big runs. Otherwise, their campaign will be the same as it was at the Asia Cup," Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.
The Pakistani player had a rather ominous caveat for India skipper and his opening partner Rahul concerning their form. The leggie feels that the duo need to pull their weight or India are in for another fascimile fate they faced at Asia Cup. IPL’s prolific wicket taker Harshal Patel, who was being rehabilitated at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) along with Jasprit Bumrah will be part of the team in Australia. However Umran Malik who had a spectacular IPL season fails to leave a mark resulting in not being named in the squad.
While Umran’s ouster may not thwart off India’s plans, former Pakistani cricketer thinks otherwise in favour of Umran as a standby option taking into account the fast pitches of Australia conducive to fast bowling.
“India could have kept Umran Malik as one of the standby players as the Indian batters would have got to practice against a bowler who can consistently bowl quick.” Kaneria added.
India bowed out of the Asia Cup after suffering losses against Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup.
The Men in Blue kick off their World Cup campaign on October 24 against their long standing arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan currently have got one up on India as Babar Azam and Co. thumped India by 10-wicket at the T20 World Cup last year.
