Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad – The Middle Order

Who Are India’s Best #3 and #4? (Pick Only 2-3)

The trend these days in T20 has been to get a Mitch Marsh or Moeen Ali at #3. The combination of Dawid Malan & Jonny Bairstow at #3/4 works for them because of the rest of their aggressive batting line up. Will India join the party?

10. Virat Kohli 🟩

Current Status: Incumbent

• T20Is: 97, Runs: 3296, 100/50: 0/30, Best: 94*, AVE+SR: 189.17, AVE: 51.50, SR: 137.67
• T20s: 333, Runs: 10392, 100/50: 5/76, Best: 113, AVE+SR: 173.71, AVE: 40.59, SR: 133.12
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 18, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 37 matches, Runs: 990, 100/50: 0/6, Best: 90*, AVE+SR: 154.80, AVE: 31.93, SR: 120.87

Pros ✅: T20I Record, Experience, Fitness

Cons ❌: Out of form, Out of Luck, Spin in the middle overs

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

He looked decent early on, but couple of run-outs, an incorrect DRS decision later, he is looking out of sorts. The 0 (1) against Chameera is a worrying sign. However, given Australia’s long boundaries, Kohli’s record in T20 World Cups, his running between the wickets, and his impeccable record in all formats there, VK is almost certain to go.

Will India drop Virat Kohli?

On the flip side, Joe Root was England’s best batter & third highest run getter in the T20 World Cup. He was a vital cog of the 2019 ODI WC side. Yet, he was dropped from the T20I side and could not make the 2021 T20 WC. Steve Smith is in-and-out of most T20 sides these. The only reason NZ can afford Williamson is because of captaincy & the likes of explosive batters like Martin Guptill & Finn Allen in the top order.

Do the selectors have the guts to drop Virat Kohli if some of the middle order batters below perform consistently and Kohli is completely out of form?

11. Suryakumar Yadav 🟩

Current Status: Incumbent

• T20Is: 14, Runs: 351, 100/50: 0/4, Best: 65, AVE+SR: 204.56, AVE: 39.00, SR: 165.56
• T20s: 202, Runs: 4435, 100/50: 0/27, Best: 94*, AVE+SR: 174.55, AVE: 31.90, SR: 142.65
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 20, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 34 matches, Runs: 997, 100/50: 0/7 Best: 82, AVE+SR: 180.55, AVE: 34.37, SR: 146.18

Pros ✅: 360-Player, Changes gears effectively according to situation, Can strike from ball one

Cons ❌: Relative Inexperience Overseas

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

One of the only few bright spots in MI. 2 fifties in 4 innings. 66.66 average and 153.84 SR. Enough said.

12. Shreyas Iyer 🟨

Current Status: Incumbent

• T20Is: 36, Runs: 809, 100/50: 0/6, Best: 74*AVE+SR: 178.20, AVE: 36.77, SR: 141.43
• T20s: 171, Runs: 4645, 100/50: 2/30, Best: 147, AVE+SR: 164.82, AVE: 33.65, SR: 131.17
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 27, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 32 matches, Runs: 930, 100/50: 0/5, Best: 88*, AVE+SR: 158.59, AVE: 35.76, SR: 123.83

Pros ✅: Counterattack Against Spin; Leadership

Cons ❌: The Short Ball

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

He has been in good touch since the player of the series performance vs Sri Lanka. 2 Fifties at 148.42 SR and 39.33 Average with the 85 in the memorable RR vs KKR game being the highlight.

13. Rishabh Pant 🟩

Current Status: Incumbent Other Roles: Wicketkeeper/Vice-Captain (recently)

• T20Is: 43, Runs: 683, 100/50: 0/3, Best: 65*, AVE+SR: 150.17, AVE: 24.39, SR: 125.78
• T20s: 148, Runs: 3854, 100/50: 2/22, Best: 128*, AVE+SR: 178.09, AVE: 33.22, SR: 145.87
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 18, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 36, Runs: 906, 100/50: 0/4 Best: 58*, AVE+SR: 158.51, AVE: 33.55, SR: 124.96

Pros ✅: X-factor; Ability to change games and counterattack when there is no hope

Cons ❌: Not been able to conquer T20Is (as compared to Tests or his IPL exploits)

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Good strike rate at 146.93 but has not gotten to bat much (188 runs (122)) due to the Warner-Shaw partnership. Improved in the captaincy aspect as well as seen with Kuldeep Yadav’s comeback.

14. Sanju Samson 🟨

Current Status: Out of Squad Other Roles: Wicketkeeper

• T20Is: 13, Runs: 174, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 39, AVE+SR: 136.17, AVE: 14.50, SR: 121.67
• T20s: 204, Runs: 4989, 100/50: 3/31, Best: 119, AVE+SR: 159.73, AVE: 28.34, SR: 131.39
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 27, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 34, Runs: 1014, 100/50: 1/6, Best: 119, AVE+SR: 180.08, AVE: 32.70, SR: 147.38

Pros ✅: Can Shift Momentum from ball one

Cons ❌: History of inconsistency

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Similar to Pant, Buttler’s exploits at the top mean he hasn’t batted as much as earlier seasons (201 runs (117)). His SR of 171.79 shows that the innings does not lose momentum during the middle lovers

15. Manish Pandey 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad

• T20Is: 39, Runs: 709, 100/50: 0/3, Best: 79*, AVE+SR: 170.46, AVE: 44.31, SR: 126.15
• T20s: 279, Runs: 6381, 100/50: 3/36, Best: 129*, AVE+SR: 155.65, AVE: 31.90, SR: 123.75
• Last Played T20Is for India: 4 December, 2020
• IPL (since 2020): 29, Runs: 627, 100/50: 0/6 Best: 83*, AVE+SR: 157.50, AVE: 32.62, SR: 124.88

Pros ✅: Steady Head During Collapse; Good T20I Numbers

Cons ❌: Poor Strike Rate; Out of Form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

66 runs, 13.20 average, 113.79 SR. Pandey hasn’t been back to top form since he left KKR. The runs were there at SRH, but several times in a losing cause due to the low strike rate.

16. Rahul Tripathi 🟪

Current Status: Not Debuted Yet

• T20s: 110, Runs: 2420, 100/50: 0/14, Best: 93, AVE+SR: 157.99, AVE: 26.88, SR: 133.11
• IPL (since 2020): 34, Runs: 832, 100/50: 0/4 Best: 81, AVE+SR: 172.66, AVE: 29.71, SR: 142.95

Pros ✅: Can bat in any position; Positive Mindset

Cons ❌: Converting cute 50s into big scores

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Stellar season so far – 205 runs, best of 71, 51.25 average, 173.72 SR (was also an integral part to KKR’s resurgence to the finals in 2021).

17. Nitish Rana 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad

• T20Is: 2, Runs: 15, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 0, AVE+SR: 63.05, AVE: 7.50, SR: 55.55
• T20s: 146, Runs: 3325, 100/50: 0/23, Best: 97, AVE+SR: 163.01, AVE: 27.47, SR: 135.54
• Last Played T20Is for India: July 29, 2021
• IPL (since 2020): 38, Runs: 876, 100/50: 0/6 Best: 666, AVE+SR: 157.29, AVE: 25.76, SR: 131.53

Pros ✅: Good Vs Spin; Left-Hander, Top-order batter who also bowls a bit of off spin when required

Cons ❌: 80s or single digits, not much in the middle

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Good SR, poor average. (143.87 SR, 20.14 Ave). 1 fifty. When he is there, he is in full control. But rarely, is he there.

Future Prospects: Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma, Yash Dhull, Priyam Garg, KS Bharat (WK)

Who is the Best Indian Specialist Finisher? (Pick 1)

18. Dinesh Karthik 🟨

Current Status: Out of Squad Other Roles: Wicketkeeper

• T20Is: 32, Runs: 399, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 48, AVE+SR: 176.77, AVE: 33.25, SR: 143.52
• T20s: 334, Runs: 6493, 100/50: 0/31, Best: 97*, AVE+SR: 162.80, AVE: 27.98, SR: 134.82
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 27, 2019
• IPL (since 2020): 38 matches, Runs: 602, 100/50: 0/2, Best: 66*, AVE+SR: 174.44, AVE: 26.17, SR: 148.27

Pros ✅: Experience; World Class finisher/360 player

Cons ❌: Leg Spin; Entry before 10th over

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

DK’s numbers since IPL 2020 are bit skewed by the brilliance of this season. 210 runs in just 102 balls. 210.00 Average, 205.88 SR, best of 66* and 6 not outs. The one game he was out was due to a catch by Ravindra Jadeja on the longest boundary of the ground.

The biggest gainer from IPL 2022 – does he have another comeback for Team India?

Also Read: Dinesh Karthik and the Art of Self Correction

19. Rahul Tewatia 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad Other Roles: Leg break

• T20s: 93, Runs: 1249, 100/50: 0/2, Best: 59*, AVE+SR: 169.89, AVE: 27.15, SR: 142.74
• IPL (since 2020): 34, Runs: 489, 100/50: 0/1, Best: 53, AVE+SR: 153.40, AVE: 25.73, SR: 127.67, Wickets: 18, Economy: 8.30, Best: 3/25

Pros ✅: Miracles Possible; Confidence Player; Batter in the Top 6 that can provide a couple of overs

Cons ❌: Rotating Strike when out-of-form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

On the face of it, 0 wickets & 79 runs might not seem huge, but Tewatia has had a huge impact in IPL 2022 already. Best of 40* and a match where he hit 2 sixes in the last two balls against PBKS for an improbable victory.

Also Read: Top 10 Life Lessons From IPL: Beauty of Cricket

20. Deepak Hooda 🟨

Current Status: Out of Squad Other Roles: Off break

• T20Is: 3, Runs: 21, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 21, AVE+SR: 152.25, AVE: 21.00, SR: 131.25
• T20s: 151, Runs: 2376, 100/50: 1/15, Best: 108, AVE+SR: 161.97, AVE: 24.00, SR: 137.97
• Last Played T20Is for India: February 27, 2022
• IPL (since 2020): 26, Runs: 444, 100/50: 0/4, Best: 64, AVE+SR: 157.19, AVE: 24.66, SR: 132.53, Wickets: 3, Economy: 8.95, Best: 1/15

Pros ✅: Batter in the Top 6 that can provide a couple of overs

Cons ❌: International Inexperience

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

He has had a decent IPL 2022. 2 Fifties, 129.78 SR, and has played the role of the ‘insurance policy.’ When the top order has lost wickets, he has been an integral part of the engine room that has recovered LSG into good positions. Has the big hitting game when team needs it.

21. Shahrukh Khan 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad

• T20s: 57, Runs: 645, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 47, AVE+SR: 149.40, AVE: 20.15, SR: 129.25
• IPL (since 2020): 17, Runs: 251, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 47, AVE+SR: 139.30, AVE: 20.91, SR: 118.39

Pros ✅: Power Hitter

Cons ❌: Out of Form, Inconsistency

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Hero of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Final with a magnificent finish of 33* (15) including a last ball six, Shahrukh Khan was purchased as a finisher for PBKS. Except for the finish with Odean Smoith early on, he has flopped so far otherwise. 98 (8) at an average of 16.33.

22. Sarfaraz Khan 🟧

Current Status: Out of Squad

• T20s: 71, Runs: 829, 100/50: 0/3, Best: 67, AVE+SR: 156.09 AVE: 23.02, SR: 133.27
• IPL (since 2020): 10, Runs: 81, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 36*, AVE+SR: 129.70, AVE: 20.25, SR: 109.45

Pros ✅: Can play the scoops; Upped his fitness/domestic game in the last couple of years

Cons ❌: Inexperience

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

2 innings, 2 Not-outs. 48 runs.

23. Abdul Samad 🟧

Current Status: Out of Squad

• T20s: 46, Runs: 733, 100/50: 0/3, Best: 76*, AVE+SR: 170.46, AVE: 26.17, SR: 144.29
• IPL (since 2020): 25, Runs: 226, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 33, AVE+SR: 160.25, AVE: 14.12, SR: 142.13

Pros ✅: Power Hitter

Cons ❌: Average on the lower side; Inexperience

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Retained by SRH. Played a total of 7 balls and dropped after 2 matches. 4 runs total.

Future: Ayush Badoni, Suyash Prabhudessai, Abhinav Manohar, Riyan Parag, Dinesh Bana (WK)

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