The Indian team for the Asia Cup as well as the World T20 to be held in India next month will be chosen tomorrow. The task for the selectors has been made slightly easier by the 3-0 whitewash the Indians inflicted on a hapless Aussies in the recently-concluded series Down Under. The historic triumph means India now have the core of their team ready more or less ready, unless of course there are some injury worries or the selectors want to spring in some surprises. Also, there are couple of spots in the team over which there could be a close race. Cricwaves tries to predict the final 15.
Batsmen: The top and middle order of the Indian batting is all but locked. Any apprehensions the Indian selectors had were laid to rest by a sublime batting effort by India across eight matches in Australia. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will occupy the two slots at the top of the order. Both were among the runs in Australia, with Rohit, in particular, impressing with his consistency. They will be followed by Virat Kohli at three, who has been rested for the Sri Lanka series, but remained in supreme form throughout in Australia, failing to cross fifty during only one of his eight visits to the crease.
Suresh Raina was under pressure going into the T20s, but he responded with a match-winning knock under pressure in the Sydney T20, and should keep his place at number four. Yuvraj Singh just about secured his place at number five courtesy a couple of big hits in the same match. MS Dhoni may not be the dangerous player he once was, but he showed enough in Australia to reiterate that he is not finished yet. He will come in at six. The extra batsman will be the cause of discussion for sure. Neither Ajinkya Rahane nor Manish Pandey featured in the T20s. India instead preferred Hardik Pandya, who did not get a chance to bat.
In all fairness, neither Pandey or Rahane deserve to be dropped. Pandey has impressed in the limited opportunities he has got while Rahane is versatile, who can bat anywhere for the team, and is a brilliant fielder as well. Having said that Dhoni has been critical of Rahane's strike rotation in the shorter formats. So if that is taken as a hint, Rahane might be the unlucky one to miss out. No one else has really staked a claim for a place in the team.
Bowlers: With Mohammed Shami ruled out, Jasprit Bumrah, out of nowhere, has become India's key pace bowler. He was super impressive with his speed and potency in Australia. He should be the first tick in the bowling department. India chose Ashish Nehra for the Australia T20s, and while he did not come up with anything spectacular, it seems difficult that India will dump him just as yet. He should, in all probability, make the cut. One is not too sure about Pandya though, who seemed raw though he played all the games in Australia.
The spin department will be handled by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who had a say in the T20s in Australia. They should prove to be further effective in home conditions. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh did not play in Australia, but he is likely to remain as a back up, in case Ashwin or Jadeja fail. Pawan Negi is the other name doing the rounds, but he could be a surprise selection. All in all, too many surprises should not be expected.
-- By A Cricket Analyst
