T20 World Cup 2022: Predicted First-choice Squad for Team India

Rohit Sharma to lead as we look at the 30 probable players’ list and predicted squad for team India for T20 World Cup 2022.

2 Months is what India have before the showdown in Australia for the most important tournament of the year, the T20 World Cup 2022. The last T20 world Cup under Virat Kohli was an embarrassing affair for the Indian team. Not so surprisingly, the Group stage exit saw Team India completely overhaul the leadership team.  

Team India are currently playing the Asia Cup 2022, which happens to be a T20 format. While the team is busy playing the tournament, the Selectors have only this tournament to name the final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 ahead of ICC’s deadline of September 16 to announce the squad. 

If we try to find the ideal first-choice 15-member squad for Team India for T20 World Cup 2022, an identical squad that is playing the Asia Cup 2022 shall be in contention for World Cup. Of course, there will be a few changes owing to the pace-friendly conditions of Australia. But with September 16 set as the deadline by ICC, India will have only Asia Cup to name the final 15.

So, in this article, we will not only look at the ideal first-choice 15-member squad for Team India for Asia Cup 2022, but we will also look at the 30 probable players list who are in contention for the showdown event in Australia later this year.   

Key Note:

Please note, the Probables list is decided basis of the selections Team India have done in the past in T20Is specifically. It’s a logical intent to come to a list of players who are in contention for the T20 World Cup. Whereas the best-predicted squad for Team India is arrived considering all the players are fit and healthy with T20 World Cup almost 2 months away. 

Openers

Tier 1: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul

Tier 2: Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad 

When we talk about the two best openers in the Indian team, we think of none other than Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The duo is the Captain and Vice-captain of the Indian team, and starts as first-choice openers. Supporting them in the primary category is Ishan Kishan, who has been a backup opener for quite some time now. But unfortunately, hasn’t gotten into the squad due to team composition.

Coming to Tier 2 openers, India have maintained faith in Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shubman Gill. While Sanju and Gaikwad have made it to the playing 11 quite a few times, Gill is yet to get selected for the team. However, given his recent performances in the ODIs, should prompt the Indian team to consider him for the T20Is as well. In addition, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant are also flexible enough to play the role of Backup openers.    

Middle-order

Tier 1: Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant

Tier 2: Rahul Tripathi and Shreyas Iyer 

Coming to the middle order, Wicker-keepers Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant and batters Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav form Tier 1 options. These 4 are already a part of the Indian team, and shall most probably also feature in the first-choice squad for Team India for T20 World Cup 2022.

Coming to Tier 2 batters, India have Shreyas Iyer and Rahul Tripathi. While Iyer has performed well in the limited opportunities he has got in T20Is, he is currently on the standby list for Asia Cup 2022. On the other hand, Rahul has been in contention for T20Is for a few series now, but hasn’t really featured in the playing 11. However, should certainly be in the final 30 probables. 

All-rounders

Tier 1: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Hooda, and Ravichandran Ashwin

Tier 2: Axar Patel, Venkatesh Iyer, and Washington Sundar

Team India selected 4 all-rounders in the Asia Cup 2022 squad, and those are Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Hooda, and Ravichandran Ashwin. These are Team India’s Tier 1 all-rounders irrespective of the conditions. However, in addition to these 4, we have 3 more all-rounders as good backups. 

If we observe BCCI’s selections for all-rounders in the last few series, Axar Patel is the ideal backup followed by Venkatesh Iyer and Washington Sundar. Axar Patel has done really well in the limited opportunities in T20Is. However, Sundar and Venky will have to fight a lot to be in the final 15; the changes look bleak for them at the moment. 

Spinners

Tier 1: Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi 

Tier 2: Kuldeep Yadav

Coming to Spinners, India have the leg-spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi as the Tier 1 spinners and Kuldeep Yadav as the key backup. In addition, Team India have all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Ravichandran Ashwin as the key backup spinners. 

Pacers

Tier 1: Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Arshdeep Singh

Tier 2: Avesh Khan, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, and Umran Malik

The pace department is where India have options in abundance. It’s difficult to bifurcate our pacers in different Tiers, but given the scenario, we have seen in the last few series, Jasprrit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Arshdeep Singh seem to be the leading 4 pacers in the Indian team. These should also be our first-choice pacers unless Bumrah or Harshal don’t recover. 

Talking about the Tier 2 pacers or key backups, India have Avesh Khan, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, and Umran Malik. Out of these four, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar shall be preferred above Shardul Thakur and Umran Malik in case an additional pacer is needed. Unfortunately, neither Mohammed Shami nor T Natarajan are In contention for T20Is, else they should have been in the top 4-5 pacers. 

So, that’s about the 30 probable players list for Team India that is in contention for T20 World Cup 2022. Coming to the predicted first-choice 15-member squad for Team India, a lot of stress will be given to pacers. India would also be hoping for Bunrah and Harshal’s recovery in time. If they don’t recover, Avesh Khan and Deepak Chahar are in the race for the backup pacer spot. So, here’s the predicted first-choice squad for Team India for T20 World Cup 2022. 

T20 World Cup 2022 –  Predicted First-choice Squad for Team India: 

Batters: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

Wks: Dinesh Karthik & Rishabh Pant

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi & Yuzvendra Chahal

Stand-bys: Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin & Deepak Chahar

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma // Vice-captain: KL Rahul

Thanks for reading! What’s your players list for Team India for T20 World Cup 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2022: Official Updated Squad and Players List for all Teams

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.