T20 World Cup: Five pillars of Team India for T20 World Cup 2022

By Indraneel Chakrabarty: Team India is all set to roar again in Australia’s upcoming T20 World Cup 2022. After clinching the inaugural edition of the ICC tournament in 2018, the Indian team has missed several opportunities to lift the title. However, the current team, which has reached Australia for the much-awaited season clash, features some of the best players in the business.

Like always, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be among the favourites to lift the title due to the star-studded lineup picked by the Indian selectors. Although senior allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be highly missed in the month-long ICC tournament, available players are no less talented and possess the unparallelled potential to guide India to the title. In this article, Indraneel Chakrabarty has listed five Indian players who will have to stand tall like a piallar against the best in the game in T20 World Cup 2022, in Australia.

Rohit Sharma: 

A promised talent, which M.S. Dhoni carefully cultivated under his august tenure as captain, is finally ready to repay the debt of gratitude. Looking back at his early days, it was like watching a 90s re-run of a Sri Lankan cricketing tale. Despite Marvan Atapattu’s string of ducks, he persisted, and in return, the belief was rewarded with several victories in the mid-90s. Rohit Sharma has delivered on his belief as a player; however, it’s now time for him to establish his station as The Big Boss. Nothing short of the T20 World Cup on shores would suffice this appetite.

Virat Kohli

His recent journey, ever since he stepped down as captain from each format in phases, it has been one journey quite difficult to digest. Fans prayed at every step, and well-wishers, even from the camp of cricketing arch-rivals Pakistan, praised and supported him through his lean patch. Yet, the famine of runs lasted over 1,000 days.

Happily enough, Kohli’s bat now roars again. Echoing his vintage class, his century against Afghanistan during the recent Asia Cup and a steady trickle of runs in the current home series would have worked like a balm for the Indian fans, even when matches didn’t quite go India’s way. His undisputed talent could be the bridge which brings The T20 Cup home to India.

Suryakumar Yadav

The Indian version of a 360-degree player, here’s the man who may well challenge ABD’s legacy in India, if not consign A.B. deVilliers exploits to the pages of IPL history. Another case of talent delayed, it’s taken the selectors time to pave the way for him, and boy-oh-boy has announced the arrival to the big-time in style. His effortless six-hitting abilities appear like loose change in one’s pocket. Back in the 90s, one would quote, “bowling yorkers like Wasim Akram at will” Well, here’s the cricketer who, much like the legend, can hit sixes at will!

Hardik Pandya

Mischief dangles from his smile, a warlock’s sorcery from his eyes. The man who may be the whispered answer to the prayers for an all-rounder like Kapil Dev has become a player capable of encouraging grey-hair growth atop opposition players. Capable of mayhem with either bat or ball, he’s undoubtedly reputed to be the bearer of lethal batting prowess. 

Coming lower down the order, when the chips are down, all is not lost as long as Hardik’s swinging his bat to deposit huge booming sixes into the stands with laser-like precision and with as much precision, his grounded strokes rocket through to the boundary. Stiff chases and challenging targets seem reachable as long as Hardik bats at the crease.

Axar Patel

For one whose talent has never been in doubt, such is the overflowing coffer of riches of Indian cricket that a match-winner like Axar Patel has perpetually been on the fringes. At the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022, in Australia, with a champion like Ashwin having been under-utilized and Jadeja out of action, Axar finally gets a crack at the big games. Despite his performances, Axar has had to bide his time. His recent performances against teams like Australia and South Africa, wherein he single-handedly got India home, have driven home the point. His selection in the squad doesn’t leave any doubts. With a successful outing, and fate willing the Cup, Axar may finally get to experience the flourish that his promising talent holds.

Bring home the Cup Boys! Heartily wishing our skipper and the Men in Blue – ALL THE BEST !!!