BCCI has finally announced the Indian squad for T20 World Cup 2021. The Men’s World Cup of shortest format is schedule in the month of October. The tournament will take place in UAE and Oman. Several nations have already announced their respective squads for the T20 World Cup. On Wednesday, Indian Cricket Team also announced its star-studded squad for the upcoming World Cup. There are a few surprising names which have been included in the Indian Squad. Similarly, there are many big names which are missing from the squad. Apart from the announcement of Indian squad, the best news for Indian fans is that MS Dhoni will mentor the Indian team for T20 World Cup 2021.
Virat Kohli will captain the Indian side in the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma has been given the role of Vice Captain in the team.
Shikhar Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal the big omissions in the 15-member squad.
Dhawan was the top scorer of IPL 2020 and has also performed brilliantly in the first phase of IPL 2021. He was also the captain on Indian Cricket team on their tour to Sri Lanka.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been a regular starter for Indian Team in limited overs. But his performed in the past year declined and with the options of other potential spinners, he was not included in the squad. Chahal is India’s highest wicket-taker in the shortest format but he has failed to make cut after a lean patch in last few matches.
The biggest surprise is the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad. The ace spinner had last played in 2017 against West Indies at Sabina Park in T20Is. No one had predicted that Ashwin will be included in the squad for T20 World Cup. With the likes of Jadeja, Chahar and Varun available, it would be difficult for Ashwin to get a place in the playing XI.
BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah gave the news that : Former India Captain MS Dhoni will mentor the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2021. Here’s the tweet by BCCI.
“As far as Dhoni is concerned, I spoke to him when I was in Dubai. He was okay with the decision, and he agreed to be a mentor for team India, for the T20 World Cup only. I spoke to the captain (Virat Kohli) and vice-captain (Rohit Sharma) as well as Ravi Shastri (the head coach), and that’s why we reached the conclusion.” Jay Shah said.
“Former India Captain @msdhoni to mentor the team for the T20 World Cup” – Honorary Secretary @JayShah #TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021
India T20 World Cup 2021 Squad
Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (Vice Captain), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami
Standby players – Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
Standby players – Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.#TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021
Analysis of India’s T20 World Cup 2021 Squad
Shikhar Dhawan is the big name to miss. After his exclusion, it is clear that KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma will open the innings for India. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav will follow them at no.3 and 4 respectively.
Rishabh Pant will keep the gloves for Indian team in the World Cup. Ishan Kishan outclassed Sanju Samson as the back-up wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant in the 15-member squad.
India decided to go for three specialist all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Krunal Pandya, the left-arm spinning all-rounder, missed out. Shadul Thakur has been included in standby players.
In the fast bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the specialist fast bowlers. Hardik Pandya is likely to play as the fourth seamer’s role.
In the spin department, Ravidra Jadeja is the only confirmed name of playing XI. According to the pitch, the team management will decide to opt for other spinners. Rahul Chahar and Varun can get cut in the team. Kohli might surprise with the inclusion of Ashwin the team’s playing XI.
