India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 bound players like Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav’s poor run in the ongoing UAE leg fo the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) has raised concerns among the national selectors and the team management ahead of the global event next month in the UAE.
Mumbai Indians trio of Pandya, Kishan, and Yadav’s dip in form before the T20 World Cup 2021 is a big reason for worry, but the Indian team management isn’t losing sleep over the issue, as India has till October 10 to make changes to the squad for the upcoming showpiece event.
It is being said that Shreyas Iyer, who has been impressive for Delhi Capitals so far in the IPL 2021, is being monitored as an option for Ishan Kishan, but Hardik Pandya remains untouchable at the moment for the T20 World Cup, starting on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.
A BCCI source told InsideSport on Tuesday (September 28): “Yes, it is a bit of a concern but we still have few matches left in IPL to get them back in form. Hopefully, they will. Suryakumar has been amongst runs for India so he is not a big concern at the moment. Ishan Kishan too did well in Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli also spoke to him on Sunday and let’s see how it goes.”
The source further revealed, “We have Shreyas Iyer as the backup, if there are any concerns, he could be added. But it’s too early to say anything. Ishan Kishan is an important player and so are Suryakumar and others. There is no point speculating.”
However, there are few options for the batters, but there is no backup for the all-rounder Hardik. However, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur’s names have been making round, but they aren’t yet considered in the all-rounder’s category.
BCCI source further explained, “Hardik is recovering and Mumbai Indians have managed him well. We will see how it goes. He is bowling at the nets, so that’s a good sign. Rohit is there, so he knows better how to handle him. You are talking about Hardik and there is no backup at the moment. Shardul and Deepak are good options but they are yet to prove as regular all-round options in T20s. So, Hardik remains the best all-rounder.”
The official signed off by saying, “Selectors have given us a team and that is very good on paper. Players go through such phases. Virat wasn’t getting runs but he has scored two back-to-back 50s. So, we will see how to go about it after IPL. Selectors will take a call accordingly. There are three players on standby and the team management will take a call accordingly. I don’t want to say much about the selection process.”
(InsideSport inputs)
