India’s T20 World Cup Squad: Key Player to be Left Out, Debate Over Wicketkeeper’s Position – Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is leaning toward selecting players who have a consistent track record in T20 Internationals and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The current focus is on rewarding players who have performed well for India and in the IPL.

An anonymous BCCI source has stated that batsmen KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, who typically open the order, have not yet batted in the middle order during the current IPL season, making it challenging for selectors to assess their effectiveness in that role. However, if fit, these players are expected to be selected for the upcoming tour.

It is understood that RCB is resting Mohammed Siraj due to his heavy workload. There is a dilemma between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Gill scoring more runs but Jaiswal being a significant find for Indian cricket.

The left-hander Jaiswal adds novelty to the largely unidimensional top-order. The selectors may need to make tough decisions in accommodating both Gill and Jaiswal, possibly at the expense of players like Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh.

While Yuzvendra Chahal is regarded as the superior bowler, his recent omissions from crucial squads raise doubts about his inclusion in the upcoming tournament. The ‘Impact Player’ rule in the IPL, which favors 12-a-side contests and diminishes the concept of all-rounders, has been criticized for affecting the national team.

This has also impacted players like Shivam Dube, whose bowling opportunities have been reduced due to his ‘Impact Player’ status. There are upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, providing an opportunity for young players to make their debuts for India.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Rana, who was part of the India Emerging side, is seen as a potential candidate for selection. The probable 20-member squad in contention includes specialist batters, all-rounders, specialist spinners, and wicketkeeper-batters, with a focus on consistency and performance in recent matches.