When India eclipsed the impossible to clinch the world title in the inaugural edition of the ICC World Twenty-20 back in 2007, no one saw it coming. Indians went berserk and celebrated that win from their homes. We still remember that priceless catch of Sreesanth, match winner Joginder Sharma and that old fairy tale of the long-haired Dhoni. We still remember the pumped up Yuvraj Singh, after those humongous six sixes. We still remember the celebration all over the nation with posters and dancing on the roads.
Now, after 11 years Team India is eager to hold a trophy, due to the recent nightmarish defeats in ICC trophies. India did win the 2011 50-over World Cup, though it was more of a simple affair. It was neither a close game like the final in 2007 nor against arch-rival Pakistan. Next year team India will be striving to get this trophy at any cost.
Here’s a look at the best 11 for Team India to clinch the world title next year-
Openers: Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul
A long-standing problem with the Indian team in T20Is is to find their best openers. Rohit- The Hitman Sharma had piled up four spectacular centuries in recent years, to make himself one of the top two leading scorers in the whole world in this format of the game. Yet second opener Shikhar Dhawan is battling for his better form. Most teams start at a frightening speed in the powerplay.
However, India barely makes more than eight runs an over. Considering the recent form, KL Rahul looks good to open with the Hitman. Rahul has a fabulous average of 41.55 and an awesome strike rate of more than 146, with two breath-taking centuries. So, he can be destructive at the start, which will help India put up a big score. Test opener Prithvi Shaw can be also a fierce competitor to KL Rahul and Dhawan for the opening position.
One Down: Spine of Team India- Virat Kohli
One down is always the spine of any team. In team India, there is no one more authoritative and a superior batsman, than Kohli. Among the greatest players that have played this game, he has been the man of the tournament in a couple of edition of this trophy. He did so back in 2014 and 2016, only to be let down by his teammates.
He was literally a one-man army in these championships. He is now the top run-scorer in the T20I format and is the only player with an average of 50, considering 2000 runs as the minimum criteria. Kohli can be a catastrophic batsman for opponents in many matches.
India Middle Order-
Shreyas Iyer
At no. 4, players should be adaptable to situations. He or she has to play the anchoring role if the team loses early 2-3 wickets or has to play the role of a slogger if the team is in a good position, heading into the last overs. Iyer looks confident at that position and also has all shots in his armoury to make this spot his own. He has 1681 runs in the IPL, with an average of 30.56 and a strike rate of 126.96.
Wicketkeeper – Rishab Pant
His numbers are earth-shattering and his innings are equally thrilling. He picked up the mantle of AB de Villiers to entertain the crowd with his acrobatic shots. In 54 IPL matches, he has scored 1736 runs with a very good average of 36.17 and a breath-taking strike rate of 162.7. There is no table of boundary hitting, Pant didn’t lead in IPL. He is a trump-card for the Indian team in next year’s World T20 Championship.
Allrounders for India
Hardik Pandya
India needs a hard-hitter down the order in T20 games. Anchoring batsmen are of no use at these positions, which has been proven over the years. There is no bigger hitter than Hardik Pandya in India in white-ball cricket. So he owns this position at five and India is dependent on him for his power-strokes at the end of innings.
Krunal Pandya
Left-arm orthodox spinner Krunal can add some variation to the bowling attack of India, as India already has one leggie, Yajuvendra Chahal. He gives breakthroughs in the middle overs many times. He effectively breaks many partnerships in the IPL as well.
Also, his strength lies in his power-hitting in the slog overs like his brother Hardik. Both are pillars of many IPL winning teams with Mumbai Indians and will want to repeat the same at the World Cup if selected.
Pace Battery
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a swing specialist for India in bowling friendly conditions also one of the best death bowlers in T20 Format across the globe. He will be an able partner for death over specialist Jasprit Bumrah.In 40 international T20 matches, he picked up 39 wickets with a remarkable economy rate of 6.85.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is now termed as Malinga 2.0 and he is providing terrific spells with the ball, like his mentor Malinga. He is the backbone of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, who won many trophies. He is one of the players on whom the skipper can trust in any death overs’ pressure situation. In 42 International T20 matches, he has 51 wickets with a splendid economy of 6.72 per over.
Deepak Chahar
With tons of hard work in the domestic circuit of India, Chahar has gained the attention of the selectors. He looks very promising with the new ball in hand in swinging conditions. So he will be a key bowler for India in powerplay overs. He has played five T20Is and snared seven wickets with an economy rate of 6.35.
Lead Spinner For India-
Yuzvendra Chahal
Leggie Chahal is the best spinner of India in white-ball formats. He is very difficult to pick for many batsmen and that is why he turns around many matches for skipper Kohli in the T20 format. He is best suited for the lead spinners’ position in the team. In 32 international T20 matches, he has bagged 47 wickets, with a phenomenal bowling spell of 25-6 against England two years ago.
With this marvellous team, we have covered all our bases. This team has enough fuel to challenge any team across the globe. Also, players like Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, Nitish Rana, Suryakumar Yadav can be in the 15 to make this a formidable side in next year’s ICC World T20.
