Indian squad for T20 World Cup

My Indian team for World T20 to be held in India from Tuesday March 15, 2016. India will start its campaign against New Zealand in Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur in a day-night match.

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Manish Pandey
3. Virat Kohli
4. Suresh Raina
5. M S Dhoni
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Pawan Negi
8. Ravi Jadeja
9. Ravi Ashwin
10. Jasprit Bumrah

11. Ashish Nehra

Back up seamer - Mohd. Shami

Back up spinner - Harbhajan Singh

Back up batsman - Ajinkya Rahane

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two best limited overs batsmen India have at present and both are in awesome form. Suresh Raina is an automatic selection. There’s no better batsmen-wicketkeeper available than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are automatic picks as well, considering world cup is being organized in India.

India will prefer to play three spinners in XI. We have Harbhajan Singh who bowls tidy economical overs can hit a few, if required. But we have seen Pawan Negi hitting the ball hard in IPL. He did it for Chennai Super Kings and before that for Delhi Daredevils. Besides noticeable that he is a left-arm spinner who bats left handed too. Left-armers are valued in gold, when it comes to spin. Left-right batting combo helps as well. Done Spinners.

Openers, we have Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane. Dhawan has not so consistent, though we are highly aware, he is a match-winner and on his day can demolish any attack. Rahane a consistent one but not dynamic. We have seen his best IPL exploits probably in 2014 IPL where he was as consistent as anyone in the world and scored two centuries I think. But he is par that. Young Manish Pandey is an upcoming star. He was a solid no 3 for Kolkata Night Riders and one of the reasons they won 2015 IPL Title. He is consistent and a big match player. He is my choice for opener. Rahane has been kept as a backup batsman. Could easily slot at top of the order or in middle, if situation arises.

Allrounders. We have Hardik Pandya, Stuart Binny and Rishi Dhawan as seam bowling allrounders. In T20s these will need to start hitting from the word GO. Rishi is not made for that. And after so many chances, Binny is yet to show that. Pandya is coming off a very successful Syed Ali Mushtaq T20 trophy. Bowling wise he is not at par but will improve. And anyways Dhoni will be using him sparingly on Indian Pitches, He will have Raina at his disposal too.

Seamers. Ashish Nehra and Mohd. Shami are two of the best in business when it comes to control, bowling at death or wickets at the start. Jasprit Bumrah has popped up at the scene and have impressed everyone. Dhoni, a very subdued person, openly admired him by mentioning as Find of the Tour.

We Indians are the emotional kind. And whenever a Yuvraj Singh or Irfan Pathan comes up for discussion, we get excited. Though both of them used to be a match-winner but I am not sure if they possess same firepower today. What we saw of Yuvi in Australia was not much different from that of last T20 world cup finals, although almost 2 years ago. Seems like nothing changed.

Shikhar Dhawan was a notable miss from my team but he doesn’t dim fit. Pick any of his recent IPL stint or T20 internationals. He misfired on most occasions, with few fine knocks. High time to move on. I am not writing him off but better options are available, I am simply going with them.

If personally someone asks me, whom I will miss most. Without a doubt, it would be Robin Uthappa. He is a real consistent player anywhere from the top of the order to middle order or lower middle order. We all have witnessed what he did opening for KKR. Prior to that how can we forget his fireworks in the middle for RCB few seasons back. He is a quality player without a doubt. I would love to see him back in the setup, anywhere literally.

My squad consists of 5 proper batsmen, 2 spinners, 2 seamers, 1 seam bowling allrounder and 1 spin bowling allrounder. Note that, I am not counting Jadeja or Ashwin as allrounders, though they could bat a little.

India are to play total of 10 T20 matches before start of the T20 world cup assuming we qualify for Asia Cup Finals. 3 T20s with Sri Lanka. 5 T20s in Asia cup including Finals. 2 warm up matches are lined as well just before the world cup with mighty West Indies and dynamic South Africa. It is imperative India should test and groom these set of players by allowing them ample chances and time in the middle. There could be nothing more encouraging than backing them up and making sure they are not playing for their places.

Not Discussed – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ambati Rayudu, Varun Aron.

Please don't mention Ishant Sharma, Karn Sharma, Yujvendra Chahal & Sandeep Sharma.

I will love to see Deepak Hooda as a surprise pick and yes I did not miss Suryakumar Yadav … lol.

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