Kuldeep Chahal

54 Contenders for the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad — Do Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Deserve a Spot?

by Nitesh Mathur | Apr 22, 2022 | Article Index, India, Miscellaneous, T20 World Cup

In IPL 2022, at least 54 players are auditioning at the moment for the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad to board the flight to Australia in October.

Exactly six months to go for the World Cup. Halfway through IPL 2022.

With Dinesh Karthik asking questions and knocking the door down, Deepak Chahar’s injury cloud, and Virat Kohli- Rohit Sharma-Ishan Kishan-Venkatesh Iyer having off years, all permutations and combinations are open.

The depth of Indian cricket team is at its all-time peak, but the selectors have their task cut out for them. However, India’s abundant depth is both a blessing and a curse.

So how is this going to work? Today, YOU ARE THE SELECTOR. I am going to break up each role (opener, finisher, fast bowler, etc.) one by one and the contenders for that spot. At the end of each section, you can VOTE on your choice for the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad.

Contents

Why Have India Not Won an ICC Trophy in the Last Decade?

Last time, India won a major ICC Trophy was the 2013 Champions Trophy. And 2007 for their only T20 World Cup Trophy.

Since then, India have lost 2012, 2016 (semi-finals), and 2021 T20 World Cups, 2017 Champions Trophy (finals), 2015 & 2019 ODI Cricket World Cups (semi-finals). Hindsight is 2020, but what were some of the reasons?

Constant chopping and changing in the squads & lack of clarity on player roles (“The #4 Question”)
Selecting/Mixing players for T20Is based on ODI form and vice-versa
Balance of the XI: Lack of batting allrounders in the Top 6 (too many wicketkeepers)
Vulnerability against left-arm seamers/swing bowlers in the first few overs (ex: Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Trent Boult/Matt Henry)
Wicket-taking options in the middle overs (switch from Jadeja-Ashwin to Kuldeep-Chahal and back)
Freak injuries (Shikhar Dhawan, Vijay Shankar in the 2019 CWC)
Predominantly right-handed batters (post-Raina/Yuvi/Gambhir era)

How To Build a T20 World Cup Winning Squad

Now that we have established where things can go wrong, let us discuss how to form our XI & squad of 15.

Rather than picking the best 15 players in India, we pick out the best players for each role depending on which position they play for their IPL and domestic teams. The idea is that we should not make an opener a makeshift #5 again.

T20s are now moving to a place where a fluid batting line up is preferred. Instead of being assigned a fixed batting spot (#3,4,5, etc.), each batter has a relative batting spot (top order, accumulator, finisher) and an ‘optimal entry’ based on the overs & match situation (Ex: Send Russell after the 10th over, DK after the 16th over, etc.)

Similarly, Powerplay swing bowlers & specialist death bowlers have separate assigned roles. (Ex: David Willey’s role is bowl a couple of economical overs up front, take a wicket/set tone, and not finish his spell).

Ideal T20 XI

So, an ideal T20 XI needs the following ingredients:

The Top Order (2 aggressive & 1 accumulator who can soak pressure, but also has change of gears)
The Engine Room (3 Finishers – 1 Power hitter, 1 360-Player, 1 Calm-Head/Insurance Policy)
2-3 All-Rounders in the Top 7
Wrist Spinner
Wicket-taker in the Powerplay (Swing bowler)
Death-Overs Specialist
145 kph+ Pace Bowler
Mystery Spin optional

Who Was in India’s Latest T20I Squad?

As a quick reminder, here are the list of players and key performers from the recent T20I series against New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.

Since the 2021 T20 World Cup, India have won all of their 9 T20I matches. In these 9 matches, India have had 8 different player of the matches and/or player of the series.

Such a wealth of talent.

Team India	vs New Zealand	vs West Indies	vs Sri Lanka
Series Result	3-0	3-0	3-0
Highest Run Scorers for India	Rohit Sharma (159, 2 – 50s, 53.00 AVE, 154.36 SR)	Suryakumar Yadav (107, 1 – 50, 53.50 AVE, 194.54 SR)	Shreyas Iyer 204, 3 – 50s, unbeaten*, 174.35 SR)
Highest Wicket-Takers for India	Harshal Patel (4, 7.28 ECON) Axar Patel (4, 6.00 ECON)	Harshal Patel (5, best of 3/22, 8.75 ECON)	Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3, best of 2/9, 7.50 ECON)
Player of the Series (Player of Matches)	Rohit Sharma (Suryakumar Yadav 62 (40), Harshal Patel 2/25, Axar Patel 3/9)	Suryakumar Yadav (Ravi Bishnoi 2/17, Rishabh Pant 52* (28), Suryakumar Yadav 65 (31))	Shreyas Iyer (Ishan Kishan 89 (56), Shreyas Iyer 74* (44), Shreyas Iyer 73* (45))

Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad – Recent T20I Performers

Here is the list of the 25 players who were selected in these squads:

Batters: Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul* (WK)
All Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Hooda, Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar*
Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Siraj, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar
Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ravichandran Ashwin

*withdrawn

Also before you check out the candidates for the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad, check out BCD’s other social media pages and consider subscribing to our newsletter. It would really help support this website.

Select Your Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad

Next to each player, overall T20I & T20 stats will be displayed along with performance in the IPL after the covid break (IPL 2020, IPL 2021, and IPL 2022 up to the halfway mark)

Each player will also have a symbol:

🟩 Almost certainly plays the first match in the T20 World Cup

🟨 In the Probable 30, but selection in the 15 depends on the IPL and T20 bilaterals preceding the WC

🟪Wildcard Entry: Not in the current scheme of things but might come into conversation as a backup player.

🟧 Future Indian players who can occupy these roles (Lots of youngsters have come to the party in IPL 2022. I doubt they will make the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad, but you never know)

Who are the Best T20 Openers for India Right Now? (Pick 3)

Who are the Best T20 Openers for India Right Now

India have 9 openers vying for 3 spots for the 2022 Indian T20 World Cup Squad. Namely, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Devdutt Padikkal.
Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul are front runners for the T20 World Cup opening squad (if Rahul recovers from injuries), but Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli are other wildcard options.

1. Rohit Sharma 🟩

Current Status: Incumbent, Other Roles: Captain

T20Is: 125, Runs: 3313, 100/50: 4/26, Best: 118, AVE+SR: 172.03, AVE: 32.48, SR: 139.55
T20s: 376, Runs: 10009, 100/50: 6/69, Best: 118, AVE+SR: 165.37, AVE: 31.67, SR: 133.70
Last Played T20Is for India: February 27, 2022
IPL (since 2020): 31 matches, Runs: 827, 100/50: 0/4, Best: 80, AVE+SR: 154.49, AVE: 26.67, SR: 127.82

Pros ✅: Experience

Cons ❌: Lack of Form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

An average of 16.28 and no fifties in 6 innings is not the best of Rohit, but remember, he was the player of the T20I series not too long ago. As long he is captain, he boards the flight to Australia as an opener.

2. KL Rahul 🟩

Current Status: Incumbent, Other Roles: Wicketkeeper

T20Is: 56, Runs: 1831, 100/50: 2/16, Best: 110*, AVE+SR: 183.17, AVE: 40.68, SR: 142.49
T20s: 179, Runs: 6007, 100/50: 5/50 Best: 132*, AVE+SR: 181.64, AVE: 43.52, SR: 138.12
Last Played T20Is for India: November 19, 2021
IPL (since 2020): 34, Runs: 1561, 100/50: 2/12, Best: 132*, AVE+SR: 190.78, AVE: 55.75, SR: 135.03

Pros ✅: Best Current Batter in India, Versatile

Cons ❌: SR inversely proportional to team composition/match situation

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Although he has century & a fifty already (265 runs), it still seems that he has more to offer to reach the heights of the last couple of a seasons. A must have in the T20 World Cup XI.

3. Ishan Kishan 🟨

Current Status: Incumbent, Other Roles: Wicketkeeper

T20Is: 10, Runs: 289, 100/50: 0/2, Best: 89, AVE+SR: 153.53, AVE: 32.11, SR: 121.42
T20s: 121, Runs: 3093, 100/50: 2/18, Best: 113*, AVE+SR: 160.34 , AVE: 29.17, SR: 131.17
Last Played T20Is for India: February 26, 2022
IPL (since 2020): 30, Runs: 697, 100/50: 0/8, Best: 99, AVE+SR: 177.22, AVE: 41.21, SR: 136.01

Pros ✅: Aggressive Opening Option, Left-Handed

Cons ❌: Lack of Form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Ever since he was retained by Mumbai Indians for the mammoth price, Kishan has looked a show of himself. He has a couple of 50s and a top score of 81* but at a SR of 116.46, the Rohit-Ishan partnership is just not working for MI at the moment.

4. Shikhar Dhawan 🟨

Current Status: Out of Squad

T20Is: 68, Runs: 1759, 100/50: 0/11, Best: 92, AVE+SR: 154.28 , AVE: 27.92, SR: 126.36
T20s: 309, Runs: 8980, 100/50: 2/64, Best: 106*, AVE+SR: 157.40, AVE: 32.53, SR: 124.87
Last Played T20Is for India: July 29, 2021 (captain)
IPL (since 2020): 40, Runs: 1419, 100/50: 2/8, Best: 106*, AVE+SR: 173.39, AVE: 39.41, SR: 132.98

Pros ✅: Left-handed; Big match/ICC tournament player; Top form in IPL 2020/2021

Cons ❌: Poor form in IPL 2022; Out of Favor with selectors right now; Rohit-Dhawan-Kohli archaic T20 lineup

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

Not as dominating as before (2nd highest in IPL 2020 & 4th highest in 2021). 214 runs at 30.57 average & best of 70, the consistency is just not there this season. Only one 50 in 7 attempts and a SR of 126.62 will go against his name.

5. Prithvi Shaw 🟨

Current Status: Out of Squad

T20Is: 1, Runs: 0, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 0, AVE+SR: 0, AVE: 0, SR: 0
T20s: 77, Runs: 1962, 100/50: 0/17, Best: 99, AVE+SR: 173.89, AVE: 25.48, SR: 148.41
Last Played T20Is for India:
IPL (since 2020): 34, Runs: 883, 100/50: 0/8, Best: 82, AVE+SR: 180.31, AVE: 26.75, SR: 153.56

Pros ✅: Aggressive Opening Option; In-Form

Cons ❌: Inconsistency; Golden Duck in only T20I (inexperience)

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

He is in imperious form in IPL 2022! In 5 innings, with 164.93 SR & 36.28 average, 2 fifties, he is giving the start Delhi needs. Is he a dark horse for October?

6. Ruturaj Gaikwad 🟪

Current Status: Reserve

T20Is: 3, Runs: 39, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 21, AVE+SR: 121.33 ,AVE: 13.00, SR: 108.33
T20s: 69, Runs: 2182, 100/50: 1/17, Best: 101*, AVE+SR: 168.48, AVE: 35.19, SR: 133.29
Last Played T20Is for India: February 20,2022
IPL (since 2020): 28, Runs: 947, 100/50: 1/8, Best: 101*, AVE+SR: 170.25, AVE: 39.45, SR: 130.80

Pros ✅: Steady when comes good

Cons ❌: Out of Form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

0,1,1,16,17.73. It is getting better, but the string of single digits was not a good show for 2021’s IPL Orange Cap holder.

7. Mayank Agarwal 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad

T20s: 169, Runs: 4011, 100/50: 2/25, Best: 111, AVE+SR: 160.62, AVE: 26.21, SR: 134.41
IPL (since 2020): 29, Runs: 983, 100/50: 1/7, Best: 106, AVE+SR: 181.37, AVE: 35.10, SR: 146.27

Pros ✅: Dependable

Cons ❌: Has Not Debuted in T20Is yet (inexperience)

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

With an average of 19.66 with best of 52, Agarwal is out of runs (and struggling on the captaincy front with PBKS as well). He was in great form in IPL 2020 but has not reached those heights since that mid-season injury.

8. Shubman Gill 🟪

Current Status: Out of Squad

T20s: 79, Runs: 2034, 100/50: 0/14, Best: , AVE+SR: 158.66, AVE: 31.78, SR: 126.88
IPL (since 2020): 37, Runs: 1118, 100/50: 0/8, Best: 96, AVE+SR:154.31, AVE: 31.05, SR: 123.26

Pros ✅: Majestic; Stability; In-Form

Cons ❌: Strike Rate; Consistency; Has Not Debuted in T20Is yet (inexperience)

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

This might be the breakthrough season Gill was looking for. A vital cog for Gujarat Titans’ dominance. 200 runs already with best of 96. 33.33 Average and SR of 151.51. The two ducks would worry him though.

9. Devdutt Padikkal 🟧

Current Status: Out of Squad

T20Is: 2, Runs: 38, 100/50: 0/0, Best: 29, AVE+SR: 119, AVE: 19.00, SR: 100.00
T20s: 60, Runs: 1967, 100/50: 2/13, Best: , AVE+SR: 171.13, AVE: 35.76, SR: 135.37
Last Played T20Is for India: July 29, 2021
IPL (since 2020): 36, Runs: 1076, 100/50: 1/7, Best: 101*, AVE+SR: 156.58, AVE: 30.74, SR: 125.84

Pros ✅: Left-hander

Cons ❌: Out of Form

How Is He Doing in IPL 2022?

473 & 411 runs in the last two seasons, DDP has struggled a bit this time around. Best of 41, only 138 runs in 6 innings, 129.72 SR. Might be last resort, but I do not see Padikkal boarding the flight to Australia at this moment.

Other Future India Prospects: Yashashvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat

CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR THE MIDDLE ORDER

54 Contenders for the Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad — Do Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Deserve a Spot?

Why Have India Not Won an ICC Trophy in the Last Decade?

How To Build a T20 World Cup Winning Squad

Ideal T20 XI

Who Was in India’s Latest T20I Squad?

Select Your Indian 2022 T20 World Cup Squad

Who are the Best T20 Openers for India Right Now? (Pick 3)

1. Rohit Sharma 🟩

2. KL Rahul 🟩

3. Ishan Kishan 🟨

4. Shikhar Dhawan 🟨

5. Prithvi Shaw 🟨

6. Ruturaj Gaikwad 🟪

7. Mayank Agarwal 🟪

8. Shubman Gill 🟪

9. Devdutt Padikkal 🟧

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