Aakash Chopra's India WT20 squad: Pandya Captain; No Rohit or Kohli in it!

[MenInG]

Indian team’s performance in the previous T20 World Cup was abysmal. The Virat Kohli-led side faced two back-to-back defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand and eventually, they failed to qualify for the semi-final. But this time the scenario is different for the team.

Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue will desperately be aiming to produce a better show at the upcoming World Cup. They have also experienced a big change in the coaching department after Ravi Shastri decided to step down as the head coach of the team. And ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, plenty of discussions have already started regarding the Indian team’s possible combination at the grand event.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently opened up on this and shared his views. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra asked his viewers to imagine a situation where the T20 World Cup was to start soon. Considering this circumstance, Chopra chose a 16-member Indian team. Cricketers were picked on the basis of their performances in the IPL 2022 season and the 44-year-old former batter did not hesitate to exclude big names like Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

“Let’s just assume that the T20 World Cup will not start from October-November but from tomorrow and we have to pick a side based only on the performance in the IPL. And, reputations are not going to count for anything. You might think that is not going to happen. But let’s indulge in making a team just based on the performance in the IPL, then how would the team look?" Chopra said in the video posted on his YouTube channel.

“This team does not have many big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. But they are 100 percent going to play when the World Cup happens. Even Rishabh Pant is not there. These are the three main players whose names are not there,” he further added.

Here’s Chopra Immediate Squad - Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, Krunal Pandya, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Captain of the team for the World Cup, according to only the IPL performance, I have got Hardik Pandya as the captain. He is batting, bowling. I have kept him at No. 5 batting spot, but he can bat at No. 4 too. He is a gun player. If he bowls, he gives you three overs. If he bats, he can do wonders. He can play in the middle as well as the finisher. His strike rate was low but I am not picking him only as a batter, I am picking as an allrounder and as a captain,” Chopra said

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...ad-pandya-captain-no-rohit-virat-5301763.html

 

[BreadPakoda]

Interesting suggestion. Similar to what happened in TWC 2007 where India dropped Sachin, Saurav, Dravid, and Zak to field a young team. Interestingly legend DK was in that team too.

 

[MenInG]

Which selector will have the guts to drop Virat Kohli?

 

[Rajdeep]

Agree with Chopra. There is no point in playing Rohit and Kohli in T20 cricket. This format demands 40(18) kinda cameos which both of them are not capable of playing. I would play the following team:

Rishab Pant
Prithvi Shaw
KL Rahul
Surya Yadav
Sanju Samson
Hardik Pandya
Washington Sundar
Yuzi Chahal
Bumrah
Arshdeep/Umran
Harshal

 

[Rajdeep]

Interesting suggestion. Similar to what happened in TWC 2007 where India dropped Sachin, Saurav, Dravid, and Zak to field a young team. Interestingly legend DK was in that team too.

India didnt drop them....they have proactively opted out of that tournament. It was Sachin's idea that seniors should skip the tournament and send a young side with MSD as skipper.

Current senior players are not as gracious.

 

[Rajdeep]

Which selector will have the guts to drop Virat Kohli?

Kohli dont have the same leverage in Indian cricket anymore like he used to have. He is no longer the captain in any format and just a player. So selectors can drop him anytime.

 

[cricketjoshila]

A squad that has Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh Harshal Patel Krunal Pandya all going to Australia is a joke.

 

[volcyz]

A squad that has Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh Harshal Patel Krunal Pandya all going to Australia is a joke.

So true lol

Chopra thinks the squad is playing in india what a joke

 

[Ab Fan]

Good idea by Chopra. Drop Kohli, Rohit, Ash, Jaddu and Shami.

Shaw
KLR
SKY
Pant(wkt)
Pandya(c)
DK
Shardul/Deepak
Harshal
Shaheen
Bumrah
Yuzi

This team will win the World T20.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Good idea by Chopra. Drop Kohli, Rohit, Ash, Jaddu and Shami.

Shaw
KLR
SKY
Pant(wkt)
Pandya(c)
DK
Shardul/Deepak
Harshal
Shaheen
Bumrah
Yuzi

This team will win the World T20.

Shardul? Shaheen? Shaw?What are you talking?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Good idea by Chopra. Drop Kohli, Rohit, Ash, Jaddu and Shami.

Shaw
KLR
SKY
Pant(wkt)
Pandya(c)
DK
Shardul/Deepak
Harshal
Shaheen
Bumrah
Yuzi

This team will win the World T20.

Shaheen? You keep thinking about him, don't you?

And Chopra also dropped Pant from his team.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Agree with Chopra. There is no point in playing Rohit and Kohli in T20 cricket. This format demands 40(18) kinda cameos which both of them are not capable of playing. I would play the following team:

Rishab Pant
Prithvi Shaw
KL Rahul
Surya Yadav
Sanju Samson
Hardik Pandya
Washington Sundar
Yuzi Chahal
Bumrah
Arshdeep/Umran
Harshal

If you agree with Chopra then you should agree with his exclusion of Rishabh Pant as well. I don't see any point of playing 3 wicketkeeper batsmen in a team. I still maintain that KL should keep wicket and a specialist batsman should play in place of Pant.

 

[Ab Fan]

Shardul? Shaheen? Shaw?What are you talking?

Shardul might do well in Australia on large grounds. Elsewhere, I will pick Deepak Chahar. Still have to see more of Deepak Chahar in Australia to comment.

Shaw is a better option in T20s than Ruturaj. He is explosive top order batsman who even if gives quick start, it allows the other guys to take their time and get themselves set before changing gear.

A Shaheen type bowler is what we need, someone who can pick wickets upfront and swing the ball both ways at good pace.

 

[shamaan]

Shardul might do well in Australia on large grounds. Elsewhere, I will pick Deepak Chahar. Still have to see more of Deepak Chahar in Australia to comment.

Shaw is a better option in T20s than Ruturaj. He is explosive top order batsman who even if gives quick start, it allows the other guys to take their time and get themselves set before changing gear.

A Shaheen type bowler is what we need, someone who can pick wickets upfront and swing the ball both ways at good pace.

Unfortunately you don't have a shaheen.

 

[shamaan]

My xi
Pant
Shaw
Rahul
Samsung
Yadav
Pandya
Washington
Jadeja
Bumrah
Umran
Patel

 

[Rajdeep]

If you agree with Chopra then you should agree with his exclusion of Rishabh Pant as well. I don't see any point of playing 3 wicketkeeper batsmen in a team. I still maintain that KL should keep wicket and a specialist batsman should play in place of Pant.

Lol...I never said I agree with Chopra's team. I only agreed with him to not play Rohit and Kohli.

T20 world cup is in Australia where Rishab Pant has a stellar record. The pitches there are taylor made for him. Remember Gabba? Only a fool would not want to have him in the side.

Bottomline is, India can play any squad but it wont win the T20 WC. It is bcoz our T20 game is flawed and genetically this format is not suited to us. T20 cricket dont come to us naturally and most players try to force their way. But atleast the below team will put forward a better show than the last year's UAE world cup

1) Shaw - quick cameo opener..should aim for 36 (12) kinda innings. No sighters or tuk tuk what so ever.

2) Pant - a bit conservative compared to Shaw...ideal target will be to stay in the crease till spinners are on and then go bezerk. Being a left hander, him staying the crease would help as well.

3) KL Rahul - Sheet Anchor. A poor man's Kohli of 2016 T20 WC. He should bat exactly like that...that should be his role.

4) SKY - Should be adapt to any situation

5) Samson - Go from ball 1..no holds barred

6) Pandya - Finisher

7) Sundar - late order slogger and a power play bowler if a left hander is batting

8) Yuzi Chahal - lead spinner...would love if he develop that googly which he sometimes bowl in IPL

9) Bumrah - 2 overs at top and 2 at death

10) Fast bowler 1 - can be anyone...any new ball bowler like Shami, Umran, Avesh, Arshdeep, Siraj

11) Fast bowler 2 - ideally Harshal Patel as he is very good in death. But conaidering the world cup in australia, i am not very sold on him. Maybe Bhuvi Kumar can replace him.

 

[Ab Fan]

My xi
Pant
Shaw
Rahul
Samsung
Yadav
Pandya
Washington
Jadeja
Bumrah
Umran
Patel

Put Shreyas instead of Samsung. Samsung's abilities are virtual. Or pick DK instead and play him at 6, others move up one position.

Also, bowling is pretty weak. Need wicket taking spinners. Pick Yuzi. At the moment, bowling options and balance is not clear for India. I would go with four pacers + 1 spinner only. Yuzi and D Chahar instead of Washi and Jadeja, both defensive bowlers and Washi don't have T20 hitting for a no.7.

 

[shamaan]

Put Shreyas instead of Samsung. Samsung's abilities are virtual. Or pick DK instead and play him at 6, others move up one position.

Also, bowling is pretty weak. Need wicket taking spinners. Pick Yuzi. At the moment, bowling options and balance is not clear for India. I would go with four pacers + 1 spinner only. Yuzi and D Chahar instead of Washi and Jadeja, both defensive bowlers and Washi don't have T20 hitting for a no.7.

I included Washington and Jadeja becouse they can provide depth to thier batting with Yuzi and D chahar they are better bowlers and attacking bowlers.has Kartick improved his power game ?.

 

[Ab Fan]

I included Washington and Jadeja becouse they can provide depth to thier batting with Yuzi and D chahar they are better bowlers and attacking bowlers.has Kartick improved his power game ?.

Washington is good batsman but relies on timing and piercing gaps, not a pinch/ power hitter. Also, he is a containing bowler. Deepak Chahar is a good enough slog overs hitter with bat and a wicket taker upfront with new ball. He is a swing bowler so only time will tell if it works in Australia or not.

Kartik has evolved his game in death overs as a 360 degree batsman very well and this season in IPL, he played some excellent innings under pressure in the finisher role.

Jadeja should do well with bat in Australia as he has improved his batting and hitting ability in last 2-3 years but he is not a good T20 bowler, only on turning wickets, he can be dangerous. On batting friendly wickets, he will leak runs also and not pick wickets also.

 

[sweep_shot]

Terrible squad.

Rohit and Kohli are big match players. They should not be omitted.

 

[happydavy]

The biggest fraudster in this squad is DK. He's one guy who has been failing for over 17 years for India yet based upon his IPL performances, which again are only when Blore bats first and he manages to score runs against non-international bowlers, he gets into the team. And now of course he has also has his social media agency which works non stop on selling stories about DK's tough life and how he deserves a chance.

 

[happydavy]

I included Washington and Jadeja becouse they can provide depth to thier batting with Yuzi and D chahar they are better bowlers and attacking bowlers.has Kartick improved his power game ?.

I really like Washington after his performance against australia in the test series but have you checked his T20 or IPL stats? 50+ matches, averages 13 (strike rate 120) with the bat, 33 with the ball and has till date hit 9 sixes in all of IPLs. The guy has been a terrible performer over so many years but somehow doesn't get called out much.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Indians think way too much of their IPL stars. If IPL really was the gold standard in producing world-class local T20 players, India would have won atleast one T20 World Cup since the IPL started.

Also, an Indian limited-overs side without Rohit is just laughable. Kishan couldn't rotate the strike if his life depended on it.

 

[MenInG]

So is a team without those 3 really that good?

 

[Champ_Pal]

So is a team without those 3 really that good?

People are missing Bumrah. He is the only known wicket taker in the Indian bowling lineup. His impact is very underrated.

Rohit and Kohli missing is not a problem as India posted over 200 against a very good South African attack consisting of Rabada, Nortje, Maharaj and Shamsi.

The real issue is the bowling. All right arm trundler brigade. Bhuvi Kumar, Harshal, Avesh and Pandya are all 130k military medium pacers. Not even 250 is safe when these group of bowlers are operating together.

 

[Ab Fan]

In T20s, you don't need seniors to win games. Captaincy and impact players matter the most.

 

[MenInG]

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said India head coach Rahul Dravid and the team management are likely to play a settled unit from the England T20Is with the ones they think will go on to play the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia. With regulars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja either resting or nursing an injury, there have been a lot of experiments with the Indian T20 side. Rishabh Pant is leading India in the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa while Hardik Pandya has been named as the captain for the two-match series in Ireland slated later this month. But with the T20 World Cup barely a few months away, Ganguly said The World Cup probables will play from the England series.

"Rahul Dravid (Team India head coach) is looking into it. He has been planning to play a settled set of players at some stage. Probably from the England tour next month, we will start playing with players who are likely to play in the T20 World Cup in October," Ganguly told The Times of India when asked whether it is ideal to rotate players in the year of an ICC event.

India's young guns have done a stellar job in the South Africa series so far. From 0-2 down, they won back-to-back matches convincingly to push the series to the decider.

The likes of Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Avesh Khan have produced a strong case for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad. Captain Rishabh Pant and batter Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, have disappointed a bit and will be under a lot of pressure to hold on to their places.

The Ireland bilateral series beginng on June 26 will see the return of Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav in the mix. Young top-order batter Rahul Tripathi has earned his maiden call-up but it is unlikely that he will get a game.

In England, India are set to play three T20Is, which is likely to see the return of captain Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja.

As far as the bowling department is concerned Bumrah, Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are certain among pacers. The fight will be between Deepak Chahar (if he regains fitness), Harshal Patel, and Avesh Khan for the remaining slots.

Yuzvendra Chahal is certain to lead India's spin attack. It'll be interesting to who among Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi is selected as a back-up option.

Hindustan Times

 

[silentkiller187]

India coach Rahul Dravid has issued a challenge to those players on the cusp of selection for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

While the start of the 20-over showcase is still more than three months away, India still have many questions unanswered surrounding the make-up of their final 15-player squad for this year's tournament.

With experienced campaigners Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul either rested or injured for the recently completed T20I series against South Africa, a host of fringe performers were given the chance to put their best foot forward during the five-match series that ended tied at two-games apiece.

That quartet are almost certain to feature in India's squad that will travel to Australia at the start of October for the four-week long tournament, but there are seemingly many spots still open for the remainder of India's touring party.

India still has at least 13 T20Is to play before they fly to Australia, with matches against Ireland (two), England (three), West Indies (five) and Australia (three) slated between now and the start of the tournament on October 16.

And Dravid wants his fringe players to perform during those warm-up matches to ensure they make their case for selection unequivocal.

"I was telling the guys that they have to bang the door down," Dravid said after rain washed away India's chances of winning the five-game series against South Africa on Sunday.

"It is not about knocking on the door, they have to start banging the door down.

"We are going to start looking to finalise that squad as quickly as possible.

"Whether that will happen in the next series or the series after that is hard to tell, but we are certainly looking to do that as quickly as possible."

Experienced seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named Player of the Series against South Africa for his six wickets at an average of just 14, while young left-hander Ishan Kishan put his case forward by finishing as the leading run scorer with 206 runs from five innings at the top of the India batting order.

Veteran campaigner Dinesh Karthik also showed glimpses in his designated role at the end of an innings with a brilliant half-century in Rajkot and two unbeaten knocks during the series that caught the eye of Dravid.

"He (Karthik) is picked for a very specific skill and he was picked for that based on what he has been doing particularly well over the last two or three years," Dravid said.

"It almost came together perfectly for us in that game at Rajkot when we needed that big performance in the last five overs to be able to make a par score.

"He and Hardik (Pandya) batted beautifully for us and both of them are our enforcers at the end and guys that can capitalise on the last five or six overs as well as anyone in the world.

"It was really nice to see Karthik come off and do what he has been picked to do and it certainly opens up a lot more options for us going forward.

"Innings like that means he is certainly knocking very hard."

Squads for the World Cup will need to be finalised by early October and Dravid said he is starting to form a picture in his mind about what he wants his touring party to look like.

"As you come closer to events you want to be able to finalise your final squad as quickly as possible," Dravid noted.

"We can only take 15 to the World Cup, but you want to have your top 18 or 20 players (chosen)... and that you are clear on that and what type of squad you want to take to the World Cup."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2650121

 

[MenInG]

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes experienced opener Shikhar Dhawan is unlikely to work his way back into contention and feature at this year’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Dhawan has already played at two T20 World Cups for India in 2014 and 2016 and some good form at this year’s IPL tournament had seen his name thrust back into the selection spotlight.

But the left-hander was overlooked for the recent five-game series against South Africa, with selectors instead opting for relative newcomers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan with regulars Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul sidelined.

Dhawan also missed out on selection for the upcoming white-ball tour of the United Kingdom, that commences with two matches against Ireland later this month.

While there are lingering concerns over the fitness of first choice opener Rahul, Gavaskar does not expect Dhawan to be in the mix to make it to a third T20 World Cup in October.

"No. I don't see his name popping up," a blunt Gavaskar told Star Sports.

"If it had to pop up, it would have been in this squad (to play Ireland).

"A lot of guys have gone to England and he could have been in this squad.

"If he is not in this squad, I don't see him ending in the mix (for T20 World Cup)."

Gaikwad and Kishan did their chances of making the trip to Australia no harm by scoring a half-century apiece during the recently completed series against South Africa, with Kishan in particular impressing with a total of 206 runs at an average greater than 40.

But Gavaskar has no doubt what India's best opening combination will be in Australia, should all players prove their fitness in time for the showcase tournament Down Under.

"My opening combination would have KL Rahul, if he's fit, and Rohit Sharma alongside him," Gavaskar said.

The T20 World Cup commences on October 16, with India's first match coming at the MCG against Pakistan on October 23.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2651024