Cricket, a cherished religion in India, stirs fervent squad discussions, especially during World Cups. People just love discussing who should be in the team. In India, everyone has an opinion on Indian Cricket Team, and it’s valuable to embrace diverse viewpoints rather than becoming frustrated. Some opinions may resonate, while others may not. Now, let’s delve into some of the most significant talking points within the squad.
Rinku Singh: Why wasn’t he picked?
Contrary to popular belief, India’s victory in the T20 World Cup of 2007 wasn’t solely due to a young team. While there were many young players, the squad also included experienced professionals. Therefore, achieving the right balance between youth and experience is crucial.
India have once again opted for established players like Rohit, Virat, Hardik, and Jadeja. But do they deserve a spot in the squad solely as batters? The omission of Rinku Singh is surprising, especially given his impressive international record: an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.24. However, his IPL performance in 2024 hasn’t been as strong.
Let’s assess their IPL performances in 2024. The table below evaluates player batting impact by analysing their average, batting strike rate, and boundaries per ball. Each player’s statistics based on their percentiles are assigned a rating from very low to very high, on a scale from 0 to 5. For example, a rating of 5 indicates a performance in top 10 percentile, while a rating of 0 represents performance in bottom 10 percentile. This comprehensive approach offers a clear assessment of each player’s batting impact.
While IPL form shouldn’t be the sole criterion for selection, Rinku Singh’s inclusion in reserves suggests that there may be a chance for him to join the squad later if his IPL performances improve slightly.
Lack of proper All-rounders?
The absence of proficient all-rounders is concerning. When was the last time Hardik Pandya played a match-winning innings with the bat? If he performed like he did two years ago, our team would be stronger. Apart from the IPL final in 2023, Ravindra Jadeja has also struggled. This is evident from the table above. Their batting form has not met expectations, and their bowling form has been inconsistent as well. The lack of reliable all-rounder will hurt Indian Cricket Team.
Wicketkeeper Stories
After Rishabh Pant’s accident, many doubted his return to international cricket. However, he has proven them wrong. Additionally, Sanju Samson is getting his first ICC event opportunity. Personally, I feel one decision that the BCCI got right was not selecting KL Rahul. With Rohit and Virat already in the team, it would have been redundant. Indian Cricket Team needed a wicketkeeper who could bat in the middle overs.
Pace Bowling Woes
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, our options for pace bowling are quite limited. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh have been highly inconsistent, and their performance in IPL 2024 doesn’t justify their selection for the team. Are they truly the best bowlers for a world tournament? Both haven’t performed well in any phase of play, whether it’s the Powerplay, middle overs, or death overs. In my opinion, Sandeep Sharma and T. Natarajan would have been better choices. Sandeep excels in the Powerplay, while Natarajan is effective in the death overs, providing the captain with a clear plan for their utilization.
The deadline for the final squad list for the Indian Cricket Team is May 23. Let’s hope the selectors implement these changes promptly to maximize our chances of bringing the trophy home. Please share your thoughts with us. Do you agree with the squad selections? Are there any players you feel should have been included or excluded? How do you think these selections will impact India’s performance in the T20 World Cup? We’d love to hear your opinions!