With the T20 World Cup just beginning in a month, the final selection talk is likely to happen in Ahmedabad today. The key talks will be regarding Hardik Pandya and the wicketkeepers’ selection for the biennial tournament, as per reports. With all teams are required to submit their 15-man squad by May 1.
Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya’s place in the squad remains in dilemma after an underwhelming IPL campaign so far this term. While there have been some flashes of his destructive batting, his bowling performance has been well below his standards and managed to bowl only nineteen overs of the possible thirty-six in nine games. Even though there is a lack of options who could replicate Pandya’s skill set, the most likely candidate would be Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube. The 31-year all-rounder has been a sensation in this year’s IPL, scoring 350 runs in nine innings with an explosive strike rate of 172.41, however, the latter is yet to bowl in this campaign. This will make the selector’s life difficult to pick a bowling allrounder who will support the bowling unit in the tournament.
Another headache for the selectors will be for the wicketkeepers, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant who all are captains of their respective franchises and are set to battle out for the two spots in the 15-man squad to the USA and West Indies. Sanju, who has been in brilliant form in this IPL with a strike rate of 161 has the ability to play spin better compared to his other counterparts.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul also presents a strong case for his selection, with the only thing that is holding him back is his batting position, as the team is already loaded with opening options with the likes of Captain Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal, Gill and even some shouts for Virat Kohli for that role.
The Third candidate Rishabh Pant, who was team India’s first choice keeper earlier his accident in December 2022. Resuming his journey after almost 15 months, Pant is also showing his destructive display of batting with a strike rate of 160.60 scoring 371 runs in 10 matches.
It is to be seen who will get an edge over the other and book their ticket to the Caribbean in the coming month. India is set to begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on 5th June.