T20 World Cup 2022, Team Analysis- India
Indian team (Source: Twitter)
The ICC T20I World Cup 2022 is on the way with its qualifier round. The Super 12 will commence from the 22nd of October. However India will begin their campaign against their arch-rivals, Pakistan on the 23rd of October at the MCG.
For once, India is not walking into the tournament as the favourites and there seems to be a few concerns within the team. If we take a deeper look into the team we can get a good idea of what to expect from the 'Men in Blue'.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami.
Standby Players: Mohammed Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur.
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The Pillars
Batting
Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav- Virat Kohli averages over 60 in Australia in T20Is and bats at a strike rate of over 140. Also, the fact that the 'King' is getting back into his groove slowly after his 71st century in the Asia Cup makes him the most important cog of the Indian batting order.
T20I batting record of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in 2022 (Source: OneCricket)
Suryakumar Yadav is arguably the most dynamic batter of the shortest format at present. In the international format, Surya is batting with a strike rate of over 170 at present and this makes him very vital to the Indian batting. He will be entrusted with the job of keeping the scoreboard moving while the anchor in that line-up, Kohli builds his innings.
Bowling
Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in great form with the new ball in his hand in 2022. But the biggest concern for him has been his lengths and variations in the death over. So, India might look to use him as the opening bowler keeping less of his balls for the death. But how well he bowls in the opening overs will be crucial to India's chances in the tournament.
T20I Bowling record of Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep in 2022 (Source: OneCricket)
Arshdeep Singh has already proven himself with ball in the death overs. He also did a great job with the new ball in the series against South Africa. So, Arshdeep emerging as a complete package in terms of bowling might turn out to be India's advantage in the tournament.
All-rounder
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel- Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder along with responsibility on his shoulders has proven himself in the latest edition of the IPL. Going into the World Cup the Indian batting will depend on Pandya a lot. Along with his batting, Hardik's bowling will add flexibility to the team composition.
Axar Patel will have a very big responsibility to play in the tournament in Ravindra Jadeja's absence. Not only with his bowling, the Indian team management will expect him to well with the bat in the lower middle order.
Surprise Package
Dinesh Karthik
The veteran wicket keeper has made a comeback to the team after his sensational performance in the last edition of the IPL. He has been batting with a great strike rate since his return and has played some ideal cameos for the team.
Dinesh Karthik in Death Overs in 2022 (Source: OneCricket)
The team will hope that he continues his good form and helps them with some power packed finishes.
Concern
Death Over bowling
The biggest concern for the Indian team going into the tournament will be their woes with death over bowling. In the recent times the 'Men in Blue' has struggled to defend runs as even experienced bowlers like Bhuvi have failed to deliver under pressure. Going into such a big tournament it will haunt India if they find a solution to their issues with death bowling.
Challenges
Handling pressure situations
As we have seen the team in the Asia Cup, the Indian team as a unit is faltering under pressure. From the leader of the pack, Rohit Sharma to the youngest bloke on the field, Arshdeep Singh it seems everyone of the unit are failing to hold their nerves in the crunch situations. The team will have to hence look at how they could maintain their composure under pressure and dig themselves out of such situations.
Prediction
The Indian team looks balanced on paper, but going into the world cup there are also some major concerns. Given India's recent affinity to crumbling under pressure, India going past the semi-final in this World Cup will be a big surprise.
Predicted XI
India's predicted XI (Source: OneCricket)
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
