The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the limited-overs teams for India’s tour to Ireland and England. The teams were declared two T20I matches against Ireland on June 27 and 29, and for the 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is to be played in the month of July in England.
The team saw many players being rewarded for their exploits in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2018 season. The squad also saw some major names being dropped from the squad and with the ICC World Cup 2019 just over a year away; it gives some major hints about what selectors think about the look of the squad for the mega event.
However, some performers in the Indian Premier League might have thought that they would be included in the limited overs squad for Ireland and England.
We have five such players who will feel unlucky not to be a part of the senior team for Ireland and England.
(All the stats updated till May 9, 2018)
MOHAMMED SIRAJ
Royal Challengers Bangalore quick Mohammed Siraj has picked 7 wickets in 7 games and has impressed a lot with his ability to bowl yorkers at the end and be the death bowler for RCB, who have struggled to defend scores of 200 or nearer.
Siraj’s best of 3/25 this IPL season came against SRH, though in the losing cause. His has played 3 T20Is for India and has taken 3 wickets so far, at an average of 49.33 and economy of 12.33. It was expected of selectors to show more faith in Siraj while strengthening their bench keeping the 2019 World Cup in mind.
SANDEEP SHARMA
Sandeep Sharma has been at his best for Sunrisers Hyderabad, picking 7 wickets for 6 matches so far. His economy of 5.26 is one of the best in the IPL 2018 so far. He managed to keep his place in the team, despite coming in to replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who got injured.
Sandeep has the ability to swing the new ball both ways and bowl yorkers at death have drawn parallels with his more illustrious teammate. England would have suited Sandeep’s bowling style and would have given India a very good backup for Bhuvneshwar.
RISHABH PANT
Rishabh Pant has had a superlative season in IPL 2018 so far. He has scored 393 runs in 10 matches at an average of 39.30 and a strike rate of 173.12, which is amongst the top 5 of the tournament. His highest score of 85 came against RCB.
Pant has been seen as the successor to MS Dhoni in the limited overs scene and was seen playing for India in the Nidahas Trophy. But the rise of Dinesh Karthik, both as a batsman and keeper par excellence, has put Pant on the back burner. Despite his exploits in the T20 cricket, including the second fastest century in the format, consistency issues have pegged Pant a lot.
However, selectors still have him on their radar and with age on his side, Pant has more to offer in coming times.
KRUNAL PANDYA
Krunal Pandya has been one of the outstanding players of the Indian Premier League in the last season and the ongoing one of IPL 2018. He has outscored his more famous brother Hardik, making 181 runs in 10 matches with a strike rate of 148.36 and has taken 9 wickets in 10 matches with a best of 3/28.
Krunal has the makings of being a very good long-term all-rounder for India and was highly expected to make it to the limited overs India team to UK tour. Krunal’s consistency with both ball and bat has been excellent for Mumbai Indians, something that will sooner or later earn him a spot in the Indian team.
SANJU SAMSON
Sanju Samson has scored 332 runs in 10 matches with the best of 92* at a strike rate of 141.27. He had a very good start to the season with consistent scores, but his form has faded away as the tournament progressed and maybe it was the reason, that he was absent from the India squad to England.
However, Samson is the future of Indian cricket and in future, he will be the backbone of the Indian team batting and even contribute with the gloves, as he is also an excellent wicketkeeper. He has shown in the IPL 2018 that he can build an innings, something he did against Royal Challengers Bangalore, scoring 92* and leading RR to a score of 210 odd runs.
Samson will get a chance to represent India in near future and with the World Cup 2019 just over a year away; he will be on the radar of selectors for the tournament.
