India’s premature exit in the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup shocked the fans in the cricket fraternity. Some of India’s performances from the batting side of things were questionable. The team’s reliance on a young and relatively inexperienced middle-order was among the concerns in the T20 World Cup. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and most likely Venkatesh Iyer could find themselves in the middle order for Team India this time around.
Things to be better in 2022
Although the inexperience in the middle cost India last time around, most of the players in the middle order are now a year older. They have more international cricket under their belt. A white-ball series against South Africa away from home, a white-ball series against the West Indies at home and a few ODIs in England could help build the core of the side.
Rahul Dravid’s approach seems to tackle both formats of the white-ball cricket together, with him fielding similar players in both the ODIs and the T20Is. Of course, much of India’s chances will depend upon the top three in the side: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
In terms of India’s chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup, many believe that the tournament will be decided among India, New Zealand, England and Australia. India’s bowling, unlike their batting, looks reasonably assured, with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah leading the act and getting some much-needed support from experienced campaigners like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The spin department is one to watch for the upcoming World Cup, given that it will be played in Australia. Of course, this means that there will be a toss-up between Ravichandran Ashwin and the newcomer, Varun Chakravarthy. If India do get the best out of Chakravarthy, they will certainly be lethal along with a strong seam attack.
Close contenders
India’s chances at the 2022 World Cup will also come down to how Australia perform at home. The reigning champions look hungry once more to dominate world cricket. On the back of a successful Test summer, Australia are looking to stamp their authority as the giants of world cricket once more. Their trip to Pakistan will surely test their abilities in unfamiliar conditions and will also be a test of their character prior to the World Cup.
Strongly regarded as a dominant force in white-ball cricket, England haven’t lived up to the high standards they would have set for themselves in T20I cricket. However, quality persists in the current English side, and fans will be hoping for a strong English return to the ICC tournaments, especially after their recent display of poor performances in red-ball cricket.
The trick to India’s success in the T20 World Cup lies in how the senior players shoulder the responsibility of the batting unit. Some of India’s youngsters haven’t seen much cricket in Australian conditions, and it would be futile to expect them to come up with the goods straightaway. However, the more experienced players of the Australian conditions like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer will have to deliver this time around if India are to win the tournament.
Overall, India’s chances look good, but they need to be backed by solid performances from the experienced ones this time around.
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