India T20 World Cup probable team: Can the Blues keep the cup at home?

Reluctant starters in the format, but still the inaugural T20 World Cup winners – India have not been able to replicate the same highs of 2007 when they won the world cup under MS Dhoni. Despite the roaring success of Indian Premier League and the subsequent advent of T20 specialists, India have struggled to reach those heights. They were the beaten finalists in the 2014 edition and lost in the semis in 2016, but that is no solace.

With the 2021 edition set to be played in India, the home fans have every reason to believe they have the right ingredients to lift the trophy once again. England will have objections to that, of course, but India can go all the way if they get the right team on the ground. That leaves us with the task of finding the right team. We present our choice of India’s 15 to bring home the cup!

The first three names are probably straight forward selections. Even the harshest of critics wouldn’t mind seeing these names as the first ones on the Indian team sheet! Even with Rahul struggling in the current series against England, it is probably safe to say that he has enough credit in the bank to stay in the reckoning.

Coming to the other two, Shreyas Iyer has probably grown by leaps and bounds so much in the last two years that he’s a near-certainty in the squad. Someone who had three successive IPL seasons of more than 400 runs at an average of more than 30 should be a great asset!

Surya Kumar Yadav (or SKY for fans) has done the hard yards in the domestic circuit, not to speak of his IPL pedigree. There is a newfound consistency in his game and SKY can be India’s next Kohli in this format. That is a very strong statement for now, but the sky is the limit for SKY!

India look a very balanced side when Hardik Pandya is in the side and he bowls four overs. That has been the biggest positive of the series against England so far. Same is the case with Washington Sundar, who has the unique skill of bowling frugally in the first six overs. Axar and Jadeja are two of the same kind, but provide insurance on Indian wickets that suit them perfectly.

Not many would have heard of Ishan if not for the IPL, but those who follow the Indian domestic circuit know his talents very well. The diminutive ‘keeper can be the X-factor that the Indian side lacks. As he has shown in the second T20I against England, Kishan can be a fearless striker. The best part is, he can be a back-up opener or the additional batsman in the squad! Same goes to Rishabh Pant, who has grown in stature in international cricket over the past few months.

Despite his penchant to concede sixes, Chahal remains one of the most effective T20 bowlers around. He can bowl in the powerplay overs too and can keep things tight in the middle overs.

Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar are insulated from discussions, because they walk into any Indian side when fully fit. Bhuvi is coming back from an injury in the current series against England, but has already looked close to his best. The same goes for the latest bowling sensation Natarajan, who should also walk into the squad. As for Thakur, his bustling pace and the ability to extract bounce on any track could be handy.

What do you think about our selections?