5 all-rounders who are the prime contenders for Team India spot in ICC T20 World Cup 2020

These five all-rounders have impressed one and all and will be looking to cement a spot for World T20.

There are barely 12 months left for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 to begin. The tournament will be played in Australia in October of 2020 and the Indian team, who have won it in 2007, were finalists in 2014 and semifinalists in 2016 are being touted as one of the contenders to lift the trophy once again.

Under the tutelage of Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue whitewashed the current T20I champs West Indies in their own backyard 3-0 recently and looked invincible thanks to a playing combination that gave them both batting and bowling options thanks to the presence of all-rounders aplenty. Krunal Pandya did well on the tour and with Hardik Pandya slated for a return against South Africa shortly; it can be safely said that the brothers are more or less certain to make it into the Indian squad for the world event.

However, this still leaves the management with one spot open for an all-rounder and TEAM COC takes a look at the five all-rounders who have the game and name to make that spot their own.

Here are the five all-rounders who are the prime contenders for Team India spot in ICC T20 World Cup 2020

AKSHAR PATEL

Akshar Patel was once the go-to spinner in the Indian team in 2015-2016. He played almost every game and was even in the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup 2015, though he didn’t get to play any match. However, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin forced him out of contention, as he battled with some injuries at the wrong time of his career.

He has made a good comeback, currently playing for India A. He scored 60* in the first one-day match against South Africa A. He had also made 81* against West Indies A on an away tour. In 38 ODIs, he has picked 45 wickets and 9 scalps in 11 T20I matches for the Indian team. Seemingly he has got his mojo back and would hope for another chance in upcoming matches to prove his mettle and get back in contention for World T20 2020.

VIJAY SHANKAR

Vijay Shankar came out of the blue for India against New Zealand in early 2019 and his performances in the middle order and good fielding impressed the selectors so much, that he pushed Ambati Rayudu out of the contention for 2019 World Cup and went to England. He performed well against Pakistan, but an injury thanks to Bumrah, ended his tournament early.

Shankar has shown a lot of promise but has not really lived upto expectations, given that he had replaced Hardik Pandya in the Indian team. Injuries have halted his progress and his outing in the TNPL 2019 has not been upto the mark. But it remains to be seen if he can do enough to stake a claim again.  

WASHINGTON SUNDAR

Washington Sundar was once again the part of the Indian team for the West Indies T20I series and performed admirably well while opening the bowling. The 19-year-old is a wonderful talent who has shown that he can handle pressure at the world stage. He was the Man of the Series in India’s Nidahas Series 2019 victory and though couldn't make it into the 2019 World Cup squad, selectors have shown faith in him for World T20.

Though his batting abilities have not been on full show in international cricket, he has a century to his name in TNPL tournament and plays there as an opener. He is a worthy contender for the all-rounder slot in the Indian team for World T20 2020.

SHIVAM DUBE

Shivam Dube came into limelight by hitting five sixes in an over during the Mumbai T20 League. He is also a very good medium pacer with nippy action and credible speed of bowling. He was brought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019 with much fanfare, but couldn’t get enough opportunities.

However, he has once again staked a claim at the all-rounder’s spot in the team with his recent exploits against South Africa A where he showed his hitting prowess with scores of 79*, 45* and 31 which all came at a thunderous strike rate. He has a strike rate of 142.35 in 19 T20 matches and has also picked 14 wickets.

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Ravindra Jadeja made a brilliant comeback into the Indian team after being overlooked for the better part of late 2017 and early 2018 for a dip in performances. However, since Asia Cup 2018, he has been a regular feature in Indian side in ODIs and Tests. In T20Is, Chahal and Kuldeep ruled the roost, but he was again seen in the format against West Indies.

Jadeja brings energy, superlative fielding and is a better reliable batsman now in the format, something he showed in Tests and in ODIs, specifically against New Zealand in World Cup semi-final. He has a brilliant record for Chennai Super Kings in IPL with both bat and ball and is the prime contender for the vacant all-rounder spot in the Indian team for World T20 2020.