T20 World Cup 2021: Predicting Team India's squad for the tournament

The COVID pandemic had affected the cricketing calendar for the year 2020. With the iconic T20 World Cup being rescheduled to 2021 and with multiple changes in the international teams, things have turned out to be more exciting. Now, we are just a few months away from the long-awaited ICC T20 World Cup.

T20 is a format that is more popular amongst fans. Yes, it does provide more entertainment within a short period. This means that the action is always on for the fans who do not follow Test cricket. And with the tournament being conducted in the UAE and Oman, there is a strong chance that Team India can at least make it to the semi-finals this time. 

The national side has been unable to lift the trophy since 2007. They managed to reach the finals in 2014 but were choked by the Sri Lankans. Adding on, they reached the semi-finals of the 2016 edition but were thrashed by the eventual champions, the West Indies. But, this time, India has a big pool of players to choose from.

Here is a prediction for Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup:

1. Virat Kohli (captain)

A no-brainer, Virat Kohli will lead the team in the upcoming World T20. The iconic batsman has been on a major trophy-less drought since 2013. Well, this time, the Indian squad is stronger than ever. 

With so many big names, Virat Kohli has the perfect company. Talking about his performances in the previous edition, he was the Player of tournament in the 2016 T20 World Cup. This time too, if he clicks, Team India will have a great chance to lift the trophy. 

Kohli has played 89 T20Is. With a terrific average of 52.65, he has been the most consistent run-scorer for the team. Adding on, he has a healthy strike rate of 139.04 too. This means he takes a few balls to set his eye on the pitch but makes it count later.

2. Rohit Sharma (VC)

Rohit Sharma is the only player in this side to have been a part of the T20 World Cup-winning side. The stylish batsman will play the role of the vice-captain and the opening batsman. Rohit’s ability to destroy any bowling attack is of utmost importance for India’s batting lineup. 

Sharma has played 111 T20Is for the team. In his career, he has scored 2864 runs with a healthy strike rate of 138.96. Now, with multiple IPL title victories, Sharma could give his inputs that will help Virat. 

A century tally of 4 is spectacular in the shortest format of the game. Sharma does not eat up too many deliveries to get set. Adding on, everyone knows how lethal he can be when the conditions are in the favour of batsmen. The best part about Rohit is that he has grown with time, hence, he can play maturely too. 

3. KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been in the international arena for seven years now. But with only 48 T20I matches to his name showcases the level of competition on the national side. The Karnataka-born batsman averages nearly 39.92 in the T20 format. This makes him an asset as he could score a quickfire 40 if the team needs. 

Adding on, Rahul has an impressive strike rate of 142.19, which means he can play aggressive cricket when needed. In his career, he has scored 2 centuries and has been India’s go-to man in the top order when Rohit or Dhawan haven’t been available. Rahul has scored 1557 runs in T20Is, which means there is experience under his belt. 

Talking about his IPL stats, Rahul has played 88 IPL games. With 2978 runs at an average of 46.53, he has been consistently scoring for his side. Apart from that, he can keep the wickets too. Hence, he brings more flavor to the squad. 

4. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav is now 30 years old, but his approach to the game looks like he wants to make as much impact as he can with all the years left in him. Fitness, form, and temperament, everything oozes out of this stylish batsman. As he made his debut this year, he has already made his mark on the side. 

With 4 T20I games under his name, he averages 46.33. A strike rate of 169.51 makes him a dangerous batsman to bowl too. Just like Rohit, he takes a couple of balls to settle in. Apart from that, his fielding skills are also top-notch. 

In the IPL, Surya has plenty of experience. With 108 games to his name, he has managed to score 2197 runs. Although the average is a bit lower than his performance in the international arena, he has improved since 2018. He is MI’s backbone as of now, and if he continues to play as he does, he could help India lift the T20 World Cup.

5. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is another name that has created a buzz lately in the international circuit. The left-handed batsman made his first international ODI run with a six against Sri Lanka. This somehow summarizes Kishan, he is “fearless”. 

Kishan has played 56 IPL games so far. In his career, he has scored 1284 runs with an average of 27.32. Adding on, he has the highest score of 99 against RCB. The rise of this fearless batsman is because of his stint with the Mumbai Indians. 

The prodigy has played 3 T20Is so far and has the highest score of 56. With a healthy average of 40, Kishan has been striking the ball cleanly. Apart from that, he is a wicket-keeper and an excellent fielder. This makes him an asset for the national side. 

6. Rishabh Pant (wk)

Rishabh Pant has completely transformed into a cricketer in the last 10 months. He has become more mature, has a terrific temperament, and has been the match-winner for Team India. Pant, on his day, can simply tear apart any bowling attack. Hence, he is the man who can accelerate the innings if required. 

With 76 IPL games to his name, Pant has scored 2292 runs with an average of 35.26. He has a humongous strike rate of 149.8 in the shortest format of the game. Apart from that, he has the highest score of 128 in the IPL, which showcases his ability to play long innings. 

In T20Is, Pant has played 32 games so far and has scored just 512 runs. But, he has changed his approach. With a much-improved skill set, Pant has been a terrific wicket-keeper, batsman, and captain for Delhi Capitals. Hence, he will be vital in those DRS calls which might change the course of the game on some occasions. 

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is the most valuable player the Indian team since the last decade. He can bat, bowl, and is the best fielder in the world. Jadeja has transformed himself into the most improved cricketer over time. This time, Kohli will need his services in the middle overs to choke the batsmen and hit some blows down the order. 

There is no doubt that he will be vital for the team’s success. With an experience of 191 IPL games, Jadeja has scored 2290 runs with a decent strike rate of 128.15. Adding on, he has been bowling with an economy rate of 7.63 in the IPL. 

Jadeja has also picked up a five-wicket haul in the IPL. His ability with the bat was clear during the games against RCB when he smashed Harshal Patel for fun. Talking about his fielding, well, it needs no introduction, Jadeja can terrify the batsmen with his fielding too. 

8. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been MI’s one of the most valuable players. He can hit sixes at will, bowl a couple of overs, and sometimes, pick wickets. But, his form has dipped this year, and Virat will want Hardik to get back in form as soon as possible. 

The all-rounder has been bowling in pain recently. His fitness issues have been hurting Team India in the shorter formats of the game. But, his batting is enough to enable him to get into the playing eleven. Hardik has a strike rate of 157.24 in IPL.

With the highest score of 91, he has shown that he can handle batting collapses in T20. Talking about his T20I stats, Hardik has a strike rate of 157.24. He can be a valuable batsman down the order and smash some blows to accelerate the run rate. 

9. Yuzvendra Chahal

The T20 format is often regarded as a batsman-friendly format. With the batsmen running after the bowler on almost every occasion, it is never easy to be a bowler. But, Yuzvendra Chahal has been able to survive the conditions since his debut in 2016. Currently, he is the best bowler in the history of his T20 franchise, RCB.

Chahal has played 106 IPL games so far. With an economy rate of 7.71 and a wicket tally of 125, he is the go-to man for Virat Kohli. He can build pressure on one end too, which will open the window for other bowlers to pick up wickets. 

In the international arena, Chahal has played 49 games so far. With 63 wickets to his name, he has bowled with an economy rate of 8.32. The best bowling figures of 6/25 in the format and he can be the match-winner with the ball as well. 

10. Jasprit Bumrah

With a powerful batting lineup, the team management has also ensured that it has a brilliant bowling lineup as well. This makes Team India a strong contender to lift the trophy. And the face of the bowling department is none other than Jasprit Bumrah. Since his debut, he has been growing as a fast bowler. 

Bumrah has played 99 IPL games so far. With an economy rate of 7.4, he is almost unplayable. A wicket tally of 115 adds cheery on the cake for the fast bowler. He will be vital to pick up early wickets for India. 

Adding on, Bumrah has been bowling at 6.67 runs per over for India. During the case of a super over, there is no doubt that the captain will turn to Bumrah to stop the run flow during crucial moments. Hence, Bumrah could be the man of the moment during crucial stages of the game. 

11. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami has the most beautiful seam presentation in the game right now. No matter what the phase is, the captain can go for him to provide breakthroughs. Shami has played few T20I matches, but he is an asset for any team he plays for.

He has featured in 71 IPL games so far and has a high economy rate of 8.81. But, this stat is understandable given the fact that he usually bowls at the death. He can bowl effective yorkers too, which makes him a dangerous bowler.

In the 12 T20Is he has played, Shami has picked 12 wickets for Team India. He has a poor economy rate of 9.8 runs per over. But, this stat is destined to get better as he plays more matches. Hence, Shami should make it to the squad for the upcoming World Cup.

12. Deepak Chahar

If Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues continue to haunt him in the World Cup, India can include Deepak Chahar in the squad. The medium-pacer can bowl economically and pick wickets upfront. Adding on, he can bat too, which makes him a decent all-rounder. 

Chahar has been phenomenal for CSK. He has played 55 IPL games so far and has picked 53 wickets. An economy rate of 7.68 is impressive in a tough tournament like the IPL. Hence, he has proved his worth in tough conditions. 

In T20Is, Chahar has picked 20 wickets in 14 games. The best bowling figures of 6/7 is spectacular for a bowler with little experience. Chahar also has a strike rate of 139.29 in T20Is, which means he can play some proper cricket shots as well. 

13. Rahul Chahar

Apart from Chahal, the team management has an extra option of a leg spinner. Rahul Chahar has been a phenomenal bowler for Mumbai Indians so far. And after 5 T20Is to his name, he has improved his stats in the shortest format of the game. 

Rahul Chahar has played 38 IPL games so far and has picked 41 wickets. With the best bowling figures of 4/27, he has been a wicket-taker for Mumbai. Adding on, he has been bowling economically from his end. 

If the conditions suit spin bowling, Virat can choose both Chahal and Chahar to bowl eight overs. With a huge skillset, Chahar could solidify himself on the national side by his performances. Apart from that, he is a decent fielder as well. This makes him a great asset for the national side. 

14. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is a technically sound batsman who can play impactful innings when he finds his touch. Iyer has been the face of the Delhi Capitals for over three years and been a decent performer with the bat. But, with a power-packed lineup, his chances of making it to the playing eleven are slim.

However, he can make it to the side as a backup middle-order batsman. With 79 IPL games to his name, Iyer has been scoring at a strike rate of 126.07. He has the highest score of 96 in IPL. Apart from that, he can accelerate once he gets set.

The only thing that might affect his chances is his strike rate. It is relatively low as compared to other batsmen. Hence, he might warm the benches. But, from the team’s perspective, it is a big plus to have someone like Iyer in the squad. 

15. Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is our choice for the backup opener. He has been nothing short of spectacular over the last few months. In the domestic circuit, he dominated bowlers, in IPL, he has been able to take the game away during the powerplay overs, and hopefully, if he gets a chance to play in the World Cup, he will cash in his chances.

In 46 IPL games, Shaw has scored 1134 runs with a decent average of 24.65. He is the reason why Dhawan has been scoring runs with ease, as Shaw sets up the platform for him. Shaw has an excellent strike rate of 146.13 in the IPL. And with the highest score of 99, he has shown that he can play long innings. 

Shaw was out for a duck on his T20I debut. But this should not affect his chances as he will continue to open for Delhi in the second half of the IPL. Shaw is a safe fielder as well, which means he can come in as a substitute too.

16. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in the international circuit for over eight years. A perfect bowler in swinging conditions, his chances to get into the playing eleven are not that high. But, he can pick wickets in any conditions and Kohli might choose him if needed. 

Kumar has played 126 IPL games so far and has picked 139 wickets. With the best bowling figures of 5/19, he has been Hyderabad’s most important pace bowler. Kumar also has an impressive economy rate of 7.31 in the IPL.

Adding on, he has an even better economy rate of 6.9 in T20Is. The only reason he has not played that many T20Is is his fitness. Injuries have hampered his performances over the years. But, if fit, he should make it to the squad. 

17. Shardul Thakur

It is often thought that T20 cricket is only about good economy rates. But, Shardul Thakur has managed to be effective in the shortest format of the game with an economy rate of over 9. The medium-pacer is a wicket-taker and Kohli has trusted him to deliver the goods for the team.

A wicket tally of 31 in 21 T20Is showcases his wicket-taking ability. He can bowl during difficult phases of the game. With the best bowling figures of 4/27, he has shown that on his day, he can be the match-winner. With slow pitches in UAE coming up, Thakur might even make it to the team if Hardik is not fit. 

Also, if Kohli wants to play three all-rounders, Shardul should make it to the team. With the bat, he has been striking with a strike rate of 197.14. Hence, he can swing the bat effectively if needed. Apart from that, he is a decent fielder as well. 

18. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was having a tough time in the last couple of years. But in the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka, he found his form back. Kuldeep, being a spinner, has more chances of creating opportunities for picking wickets in the shorter format. 

With 45 IPL games under his name, he has been underutilized by KKR. Adding on, he has a decent economy rate of 8.28 in the IPL. But, his T20I figures are impressive. Kuldeep has picked 41 wickets in 22 games of his career. 

He can tighten the screws at one end so that the batsmen will be under enormous pressure. Kuldeep has the best bowling figures of 5/24 in T20Is, which showcases his ability to become the match-winner on his day. An economy rate of 7.15 is also impressive for a wrist spinner in T20Is. 

Apart from the above-mentioned names, Avesh Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Washington Sundar might be included in the squad. This is because of the unpredictability of the situation in this pandemic.