IPL 2022: 5 dark horses for Indian T20 World Cup 2022 squad after first half of the season

IPL 2022 is reaching a fever pitch, with the season reaching the half-way mark last evening. With the backdrop of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year, every fan worth his salt has his own version of that XI in the blue. Rohit Sharma and Co. will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23. However, there have been some who have tried their best to upset the apple cart. That strong performances in IPL are the surest route to the Indian playing XI is not a secret to anybody. A few players have made a strong case for themselves by virtue of their brilliant showing in the first half of IPL 2022. So here are 5 players whose performances have led everyone to consider their inclusion in that T20 World Cup squad. 5 Dark Horses for Indian T20 World Cup 2022 Squad 1. Dinesh Karthik Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The first name that pops up is Dinesh Karthik. Striking at 200 this season, the veteran wicket-keeper batter has scored 210 runs so far this season while being dismissed just twice in eight outings. He has adapted well in the No.6 slot and has been RCB’s game changer in IPL 2022. Be it the herculean rescue effort against Delhi Capitals, or the brutal chase against Rajasthan Royals, Karthik has wielded his bat like a magic wand. His performances have led many to speculate about his chances as a finisher in that T20 World Cup squad. Not just content with his bat doing the talking, the 36-year-old cricketer from Tamil Nadu himself has talked up his inclusion in that World Cup squad more than once. Will he make the final cut despite age not being on his side, only time will tell. 2. Kuldeep Yadav Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) While Kuldeep took the cricket world by storm between Champions Trophy 2017 and ODI World Cup 2019, the time thereafter could best be described as underwhelming. At worst, it is a proper nightmare. Not only the Indian team, the spinner had to endure the ignominy of being side-lined from his IPL side as well. However with renewed backing from his new franchise Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep might just be putting that behind him. He has already picked up 13 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 8.47 runs per over. More importantly, he has looked in his mojo hitting the right line and length. The 27-year-old has started finding some of that old magic again..With his unique skill set, Kuldeep Yadav has a great chance to be in that Indian XI, backed as he is by captain Rohit Sharma and the rest of the new management. 3. T Natarajan T Natarajan. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Briefly a part of the Indian team in all three formats, T Natarajan received a set back due to injuries in the last year or so. Also, the search for multi-dimensional players by the new management has not helped his cause. But come IPL 2022, ‘Salem Starc’ has made a strong case for himself with 15 wickets from seven matches at an average of 14.53. His strong showing has been a big part of the unprecedented revival of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPl 2022 with five wins on the trot. While Natarajan does not provide you with those extra runs like a Deepak Chahar would, he is extremely effective at his primary trait. With his mastery of the yorkers at the back end, he is a definite contender for a post in that squad. 4. Rahul Tripathi Rahul Tripathi (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The highest run scorer among uncapped players in IPL, Rahul Tripathi has presented himself as a reliable commodity in previous seasons of IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). But the same has not been enough to break down the doors of the Indian cricket team. IPL 2022, however, has seen Tripathi turn it up a notch. Striking at 175.21m Tripathi has been the most destructive among all top order batters in IPL 2022. He has been a consistent performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad as they bounced off the blocks to win five games on the trot. The fact that India’s limited overs teams are always looking for that middle-order enforcer might just work in his favour this time in the global T20 event scheduled in Australia. That door looks in serious danger now. 5. Umran Malik Umran Malik. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Umran Malik’s reputation right now is a cryogenic rocket on steroids. It is burgeoning beyond measure. Stamping himself as the league’s undisputed fastest bowler, the Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler has now displayed that his control is right up there as well. That he is still a product-in-making should scare not just other IPL sides, but other international teams as well. The consistency with which Umran clocks 150 mph is unprecedented in Indian cricket. And this adds to his oomph factor. Only the fourth bowler in IPL history to deliver a maiden in the 20th over, Umran will be hard to ignore for the selectors given that the matches will be played on fast Australian pitches. More so, as they seek an X-Factor in a line-up that has found it difficult to crack open batting line-ups in the recent past. Written by Amritanshu Airy

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IPL 2022: 5 dark horses for Indian T20 World Cup 2022 squad after first half of the season

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