With the IPL putting a premium on impressing selectors ahead of the T20 World Cup, several players are looking to impress. Given that India’s T20 team is still a work in progress in this World Cup year, the IPL provides an excellent platform for a lot of players to stake their claims.
Many positions are still up for grabs, from opener to partner Rohit Sharma to finishers and spinners. Not only would management and selectors have to evaluate performance, but they would also have to make decisions about whether Indian performers could thrive on larger stages such as Australia.
A Crucial Role for India’s No. 3 Position?
In his T20 career, Virat Kohli has been an anchor batsman. In this fast-paced environment, he prefers to start gently, build up, and then open up. Certain teams might benefit from players like him, Kane Williamson, and Dawid Malan, but what about India? In the top order, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli have a stale resemblance.
Some teams have musclemen to keep an eye on, but India is still looking for them. Andre Russell does not exist (in his pomp). Hardik Pandya, too, appears to be on the periphery.Kohli will have to adjust his style a little without an explosive finisher and, more importantly, the sameness at the top. He may continue to perform in another team, but it may be time for Kohli to show us his version 2.0 in this Indian team.
There’s no reason for Rohit Sharma, the skipper and a proven T20 player, to adjust his game substantially. When Rahul is officially assigned to that role, he will be able to hit right away, but Kohli will have to adjust and adapt his game a little. In the absence of experienced power-hitters, they may stray a little and flounder later if Rohit fails to deliver.
There’s Rishabh Pant, but most teams have a few. India may still qualify for the World Cup, but the identity of their batsmen is unknown at this time. It may work in Kohli’s and the team’s favour if he can tweak and start stronger than normal. Otherwise, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav will have to score runs, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Kohli’s successor will be able to continue in his footsteps if he can step into the post. Is Virat Kohli India’s best No. 3? Kohli is under pressure from people around him, as well as the combination of this Indian team, and it’s time for him to demonstrate that he can rise above it all.
In principle, the Australian grounds might produce batting-friendly surfaces for the T20 World Cup, but there would be more bounce than most other locales, allowing Kohli to thrive (more than others). This IPL provides him with the opportunity to audition for that part. Would he be up to the task?
The opening combination with Rohit Sharma?
As the last T20 World Cup revealed, India sinks or swims with Rohit’s form. After the previous year or so, India will be twiddling their thumbs about his fitness. The issue of his companion is now the only one they have to deal with. Rahul has previously shown that he can play an all-out attacking role in the IPL, particularly when he wasn’t captain.
When the team, like the Punjab Kings, relied largely on him, he had to change his mentality. He can play the enforcer on an Indian team. Ishan Kishan, Rohit’s IPL opening partner, is another option. He’s shown he can hit fast, but it’ll be interesting to see how effective he is on Australia’s wider grounds and against talented pacers who can take advantage of the extra bounce.
Unless Kishan dazzles in the IPL to push his claim, Rahul is likely to be Australia’s first choice. Prithvi Shaw was in contention till a year ago, but he’d have to put in outstandingly consistent performances in the IPL to make an impact.
Bowling with one swing option?
India can only focus on one swing bowler because they have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, and based on recent events, it appears they are considering Chahar. He has been brilliant for Chennai Super Kings with the new ball, bowling three overs at the start of each innings and showcasing his ability to get the ball to curve away under lights.
His hitting has also substantially improved. Bhuvneshwar will have a lot of catching up to do in the 2018 IPL. He was the original swinger who could do the job in tests before his fitness and India’s requirements changed the equation. He possesses the required skills to succeed in Australia.
Notably the ability to drag back his length and nip the ball back into right-handed batters when he wants to keep them quiet. His consistency has recently slipped, and he’ll need a huge IPL to get past Chahar, who will also need a great IPL to stay in the race. Even Shardul Thakur is in the pipeline because of his outstanding performance in the international games.
Spinner on the Row?
There are many paper options, but India must first establish what they require from the spinner. Someone who can bowl a couple of quiet overs or take a couple of wickets. Most spinners try to get wickets by lowering the run rate and hoping that the batsmen’s reckless instincts will nail them down. Ravichandran Ashwin, in his prime, can do both and command the captain’s trust, but in T20s, he can settle into a contained position a little too early.
(It’s not that most spinners are capable of containing runs, but the approach becomes that.) One of the reasons Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were given such a long run in white-ball cricket was because of this. Chahal has demonstrated that he can winkle out wickets with his skill even in Australian circumstances (on previous tours), but his confidence has waned recently.
A Power Hitter?
Who else does India have but Pant? According to recent picks, the selectors appear to be betting on Hardik Pandya, the allrounder, rather than Pandya, the finisher. In that situation, the IPL will pass judgement on him. Deepak Hooda is an option, but the selection will be based on his ability to thrive on the vast Australian stage.
A large IPL will help, but that (Australian) judgement call will be made as well. Shahrukh Khan has been the town’s other viral dazzler, and the IPL is a tremendous opportunity for him to impress the wise men. Venkatesh Iyer is in a very bad situation because India isn’t going to let him try out his bowling skills.
Published By : Ankit Singh
Edited By : Khushi Thakur
