As the senior selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar assembles in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to pick India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in June, a majority of the discussion will be centred on the inclusion of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill. The Indian Express understands that Samson, who should be a sure shot candidate for the trip to the US and Caribbean, isn’t assured of a spot following the Indian team management’s request for a wicketkeeper who could slot in the lower-order as they have a top-heavy batting line-up. It means, Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma have come back into contention with KL Rahul set to miss out. It remains to be seen if there is a change of heart when the entire selection committee meets with the captain and the coach on Tuesday, and if they find a way to get either Gill or Samson.
Agarkar, who returned to India following a holiday, met with India captain Rohit Sharma on the sidelines of Mumbai Indians’ match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. It is understood that the Indian team management has already appraised the selection committee of their needs at the T20 World Cup and there won’t be any surprise inclusions like in the case of last two editions in the UAE and Australia.
But what is in store are a few tough calls, which the selectors will be forced to take for the balance of the squad. With Rishabh Pant being a sure shot candidate for one of the wicket-keeping slots, it was supposed to be a toss-up between Samson and Rahul. Though Rahul has managed to score runs at this IPL, with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli making the top three, India are not willing to accommodate another top-order player. The same seems to be the reason why Samson’s place also still remains under debate as the 29-year-old has batted at No 3 for Rajasthan Royals.
Samson has accumulated 385 runs so far in this IPL at a strike-rate of 161.09, and has come across as a transformed T20 batsman. Having blown hot and cold in the past, he has been more consistent with his batting and in a side that is devoid of power-hitters, Samson’s presence could benefit India in the middle-order. Furthermore, Samson can also provide India with favourable match-ups against spinners – he is among the best hitters of spin in T20s – and can also be floated anywhere in the batting line-up.
Sanju Samson has been among the leading run scorers in the IPL this season. (Sportzpics)
But, with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav likely to make the top 4, the team management is understood to be keen on having specialists for the role. Interestingly, if this indeed happens to be the XI, then Kohli and Suryakumar will bat lower than what they are currently doing in the IPL, where the former has opened the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the latter coming in at No 3 for Mumbai Indians.
With regards to Gill, there is no guarantee he would make the 15-member squad. With Rohit and Kohli in the mix, India don’t need another similar player, which means the opener could end-up in the reserves. Rinku Singh is expected to be the extra batsman in the side.
However, with No 5,6 & 7 being specialist roles in T20, where emphasis is on the finishers, India’s team management believes players who are used to this role will be best suited at the World Cup. Hence, Jitesh, who has been part of India’s T20 set-up over the last 12 months, has come into picture despite not having made heads turn at this IPL. Similarly, Jurel, who came up with an impressive performance with the Test side in the series against England, is part of discussions. Like Jitesh, Jurel hasn’t set the IPL on fire, but in his most recent outing made an unbeaten 52 under pressure.
With Rohit and Kohli in the mix, India don’t need another similar player, which means that Gill could end-up in the reserves. (AP)
And having looked like a two-horse race between Rahul and Samson, on the eve of the D-day it has become a three-horse race between Samson, Jurel and Jitesh. As far as Pant goes, though his T20I numbers aren’t impressive, he is expected to be their trump card in the middle, particularly because he is also a left-hander.
All-rounders aplenty
With India keen on having six bowling options and as much depth as possible in the batting line-up, they are set to carry a minimum of three all-rounders in the 15. Hardik Pandya, whose form with the bat and ball, still remains a concern will keep his spot as there are not many options.
Similarly, Shivam Dube is expected to make the 15, particularly as a power-hitter. With Chennai Super King not using him as a bowling option, there are apprehensions to consider him as an all-rounder, but given how India are thin on options when it comes to batsmen who could bowl a few overs, Dube remains a straight-forward choice. With Pandya’s bowling also not inspiring much confidence, India can make do with both.
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In the bowling front, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi are set to make-up the spin department. Though Yuzvendra Chahal has had another exceptional IPL, India are not keen on going back to him, as he is also not a reliable fielder as well. The necessity to open a space for Dube means India will be taking only three fast bowlers in the 15 with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh being the trio.
Outside of the 15, it is understood that three among Gill, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel and Khaleel Ahmed will join the team as travelling reserves.
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