India's T20 World Cup Squad and U-turn

 

India’s 2022 T20 World Cup squad has been a topic of discussion for two years, with the selectors sticking to the core of the 2022 side. The team, which had previously faced challenges in the UAE and Australia, has been working on a similar blueprint to their previous success in the IPL. They have invested in several players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as openers and middle-order batsmen. However, India’s current lineup has five left-handed batsmen, with only two making the XI and one in the top four.

India’s strategy for the T20 World Cup was based on the success formula of top T20 teams worldwide, investing in as many left-handers as possible in the batting line-up. This was done to ensure that modern-day bowlers, such as pacers and spinners, could keep the Indian batting quiet. However, with just two right-handed batsmen between them, the selectors’ assertion was accurate, as opposition bowlers struggled to keep the Indian batting quiet.

Hardik Pandya’s selection had been under scrutiny since many days, keeping into account his low performance at IPL. As was highlighted by The India Observers, The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selection committee has taken note of Pandya’s hardships in the IPL, especially his inconsistency with the ball. Despite being known as a genuine all-rounder, Pandya’s bowling qualities have not made it to success in the current season.

Despite concerns around Hardik Pandya, who had led the T20 team since the last T20 World Cup, India still had time to look at Suryakumar and Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit Sharma, who hasn’t tallied even 400 runs in the last four seasons, has improved his strike-rate, which has shot to 160.31 this IPL. However, the command he showed in the World Cup last year has been missing.

Similarly, Kohli, who has 500 runs to his name already this IPL, has shown his best ever strike-rate of 147.49 this season. Both Rohit and Kohli have shown the intent needed in T20s, playing different roles in two entirely different teams, where they have other flamboyant batsmen around them.

India’s selectors and team management have taken a leap of faith by choosing Rohit and Kohli as captains for the T20 World Cup. They know that opposition teams will not be sweating over the sight of Rohit and Kohli in the powerplay, and if they end up lasting beyond the powerplay overs, they won’t offer favourable match-ups against spinners. In the middle overs, bowlers would prefer bowling to them rather than Suryakumar, Samson, or Dube.

At the IPL, both Rohit and Kohli have shown the intent that is needed in T20s. While it hasn’t looked entirely convincing, it can’t be brushed aside either.

In conclusion, India’s 2022 T20 World Cup squad has been a complex and challenging journey. The selectors have focused on bringing back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as openers and investing in other players to fill the gaps in the middle-order. However, the question remains whether Rohit and Kohli earned their spots for the World Cup.