5 Indian players who can be groomed for T20 World Cup 2022

India crashing out of the T20 World Cup 2021 was one of the most disappointing failures for the national men’s team in quite some time. However, the team has an opportunity to change that record by putting together a much more commendable performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will start in October 2022 in Australia. 

With a new head coach in Rahul Dravid and a new T20I skipper in Rohit Sharma, the plans for next year’s World Cup have already been set in motion. There are several new faces who could be tried while some stars might be seen getting sidelined. Nevertheless, it can be denied that the team management needs to groom players for now. 

5 Indian players who can be prepared for the next T20 World Cup

1. Venkatesh Iyer

The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has been in the news ever since he turned up for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2021. In the ten matches that he played in the second leg, he smashed 370 runs with the bat at an average of 41.11 and a strike rate of 128.47. 

What was also really impressive about him was his all-round talent. Even though KKR didn’t use him much as a bowler, in a couple of games, he showcased why he could be a good seam-bowling option going forward. In fact, after the IPL, he appeared for his domestic side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2021 and delivered with the bat and the ball.

He made 155 runs with a strike rate of 141 while taking five wickets at an average of 17.40 and an economy of 5.80. His performances earned him a call-up in the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand. Iyer might also make his debut, given how the balance for the squad playing in that series is. Considering how there is so much uncertainty over Hardik Pandya’s bowling, Iyer can be groomed as a replacement or a backup.

2. Ishan Kishan

There is no doubt that Ishan Kishan is one of the most talented batters going around in this domestic circuit at this point. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper batter has been quite impressive with his bat ever since he led the junior Indian team to the final of the U19 World Cup in 2016. In the last few years, he has shown what he can achieve at the highest level. 

In the 2020 season of the IPL, Kishan was tried in the middle order and he succeeded by performing in almost every game. However, for the Indian team, he has been tried as an opener and started his career with a bang. It should also be noted that he found his hitting range in the IPL 2021, only after he was promoted up the order. 

Given his talent, skills, and expertise, it only makes sense to groom him for the upcoming World Cup. He is a left-handed batter and going around, it is always a good thing to have one in the top order. In fact, that was the very thought which prompted India to open with him in the World Cup game against New Zealand.

3. T Natarajan 

The Tamil Nadu pacer had a terrific start to his international career during the Australian tour in 2020-21. He made his debut in all three formats and was quite impressive in each of those games. In fact, it was his T20I form that impressed most of the experts. His ability to deliver yorkers was already seen in the IPL and it was confirmed that he can repeat it at the international level as well. 

However, luck wasn’t on his side. After playing the home series against England in early 2021, an injury forced him out of the first leg of the IPL. When he returned for the second leg, he was tested positive with COVID and wasn’t even in contention to be picked for the T20 World Cup. But, looking at the new World Cup, he is a good choice. 

Firstly, if he plays, he adds the left-arm pacer element into the Indian attack, which has been missing for some time. He is an excellent T20 bowler, who can deliver in tight situations. He is someone who can actually become a specialist white-ball bowler moving ahead and he had also impressed during the Australia tour, which is all the more reason why India should back him for the next edition.

4. Umran Malik

A lot of fans might not be aware of this young cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, but towards the end of the second leg of the Indian Premier League, he impressed a lot of fans and experts with his bowling effort. The most interesting thing about him is his pace. The 21-year-old has the ability to be really fast and can clock up to or more than 150 kmph. 

With that kind of pace, he is without a doubt, one of the fastest bowlers in India. During a few matches of Sunrisers Hyderabad, fans in fact turned up to watch the speedster, despite the franchise being out of the tournament already. He was then picked up by the Indian team as a net bowler and returned to India to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. 

After being impressive in that tournament as well, he was called up for the India A team touring South Africa. The reason why he can be a lethal option for India is his pace. Despite having a full-blown pace attack, India doesn’t have any bowler who can clock up to 150 or more, a skill which can be really useful for them in Australia, come to the next T20 World Cup. 

5. Avesh Khan

The Madhya Pradesh pacer had disappeared from mainstream cricket and was working hard on his game on the sidelines for the past few years. After showing natural ability in the U-19 World Cup 2016, he didn’t get regular chances at the big stage. However, 2021 will be remembered as the turning point of his career. 

Delhi Capitals backed him in the Indian Premier League 2021 and he delivered all his skills and practice together. In 16 matches, he picked up 24 wickets, being the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He was among the wickets in every game and showed his versatility by delivering with the new ball and as well as in the death overs. 

Now, he has been picked for the Indian team for the T20I series against New Zealand and it should be a learning assignment for the young pacer. However, he remains one of the brighter talents in the Indian cricket system and it would be a good thing if India grooms him properly for the next World Cup.