As India gears up for its final T20 confrontation before the much-anticipated T20 World Cup, they face Afghanistan with a squad that has been significantly altered due to injuries among key players. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ruturaj Gaikwad have all been ruled out, leading the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team selectors to reinstate veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after a hiatus of 14 months. The resulting 16-man squad is well-rounded, boasting capable players for each role from opening batsmen to finishers, all-rounders, spinners, and fast bowlers.
With Sharma and Kohli expected to feature in all three matches against Afghanistan, the team dynamic that has been observed in recent T20 International matches is poised to shift, which may unfortunately result in a few players being benched. This selection dilemma has touched three cricketers in particular, who are likely to watch the upcoming games from the sidelines.
Washington Sundar finds himself in an all-too-familiar predicament, having been a mere spectator during India’s recent T20 engagements with Australia and South Africa. With Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja excelling in the No.7 slot, Sundar’s position was jeopardized, and the presence of Ravi Bishnoi or Kuldeep Yadav as preferred second spinners in the squad has only compounded his challenges. Despite his appearance in one ODI against South Africa, his chances of making the T20 lineup seem slim given the competition.
Middle-order batsman Tilak Varma has also been eclipsed by the return of seasoned players. Varma forfeited his place to Shreyas Iyer in the Australia series, and despite his participation in the games against South Africa, his performance failed to make a mark. With the indomitable Virat Kohli virtually guaranteed the No.3 spot and new middle-order alternatives such as Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson joining the ranks, Varma’s prospects of involvement against Afghanistan appear bleak.
The predicament extends to Ravi Bishnoi as well, who, despite his commendable performance and being named the player of the series against Australia – even climbing to the peak of the ICC T20I bowling rankings – faces competition from Kuldeep Yadav. Yadav’s sensational form, including a five-wicket haul in the series decider against South Africa, has made him a frontrunner for the spinner’s slot. Bishnoi may find it increasingly tough to displace a player of Yadav’s current stature in forthcoming matches.
These possible omissions come as the Indian team seeks to fine-tune its composition ahead of global T20 competitions. Selectors have to make tough decisions to balance experience, form, and team chemistry. It’s a complex puzzle, figuring out the perfect combination that could bring glory to the nation in the fast-paced T20 format.
As the T20 series approaches, speculations abound regarding the final lineup, yet it is clear that team selectors are not just looking at the immediate Afghan challenge but also at the bigger picture – the World Cup. Fans eagerly await the resolution of these selection ambiguities, hoping that regardless of who gets the nod, the Indian team will march confidently towards the coveted trophy and add another glorious chapter to its cricketing history.
