With the fast-approaching ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman, all eyes are on the squad selection for the international teams.
As of now, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan have named their squads for the marquee event, scheduled to be played from October 17 to November 14.
See Also: "Beating India will be a big boost," Babar Azam says Pakistan have advantage in Dubai
Meanwhile, a report published in PTI suggests that India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is set to be picked in a coming couple of days.
According to the report, the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel will meet at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and link up with skipper Virat Kohli in Manchester and coach Ravi Shastri in London either on Tuesday (September 7) or more likely on Wednesday (September 8).
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are likely to be a part of the meeting as well.
The report also suggests that the BCCI is expected to announce either an 18 or 20 member squad as the ICC will allow a squad strength of 30, instead of 23 in earlier editions, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The number takes into account the support staff as well.
The Indian squad will have at least 13 to 15 members, who are automatic picks but there are a few slots for which there would be some deliberations.
One selection dilemma is the third spinner to join Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar are among the options.
With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul both capable of performing the role of a wicketkeeper, Ishan Kishan, with some impressive showing in the recent white-ball tour to Sri Lanka, is expected to pip Sanju Samson.
With Hardik Pandya not bowling his full quota of four overs, Shardul Thakur might find a place in the squad after his batting prowess in the ongoing England tour.
Suryakumar Yadav can be called a certainty in the squad following his Player-of-the-Series performance in ODIs against Sri Lanka, while Shreyas Iyer is likely to get his place back after recovering from the shoulder injury.
Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw will be competing for the extra opener’s slot other than Rohit Sharma and Rahul.
Coming to the pace department, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami (if fully fit) are automatic picks but Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj are also in the selection reckoning.
Among left-arm pacers, Chetan Sakariya and T Natarajan are the options but the latter has hardly played any cricket lately while the former may get into the squad as a net bowler.
Team India’s Likely Squad for T20 World Cup:
Certainties (14): Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Buvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur
Extra Opener: Shikhar Dhawan/Prithvi Shaw
Reserve keeper: Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson
Extra Spinner: Varun Chakravarthy/Rahul Chahar
Left-arm pacer: Chetan Sakariya/T Natarajan
Subject to Fitness: Washington Sundar.
Cover for Jadeja: Akshar Patel/Krunal Pandya.
(With PTI inputs)
