Pant and Pandya are vying for vice-captaincy
Selection for the T20 World Cup: Pant and Pandya are vying for vice-captaincy
There were questions over whether he could participate in the ongoing Indian Premier League a little more than a month ago. Now, with only a few days to go before the Indian team is chosen for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, Rishabh Pant could own a genuine chance to guide the group.
We anticipate the national selectors to deliberate over the possibility of reappointing Pant as India’s vice-captain. This role he occupied before the admin forced him into an extended injury break following a near-fatal tragedy in December.
In June 2022, Pant led India in a five-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa. He will, just so you know, be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the June T20 World Cup.
It won’t be easy to decide whether to promote Pant, though, especially as Pandya is another possible candidate. Pandya’s inability to inspire the Mumbai Indians squad during the IPL may be tipping the scales in favor of the captain of the DC. It’s unlikely that some of his dubious choices as captain went unnoticed, nor that his public criticism of a teammate following the overlooking a recent loss
Nevertheless, we cannot disregard Pandya’s qualifications as the captain of India. Last year, the selectors named him vice-captain of the World Cup team. It’s debatable if they trust Pandya with a leadership role. But his ability to bowl at a fair speed is undoubtedly helping him and securing his spot in the team.
The starting lineup will include Kohli, Jaiswal, Yadav, and captain Sharma. Pandya, Jadeja, and Pant will be in the middle order. Along with Sanju Samson or KL Rahul, there will be one or both of Shivam Dube and Rinku.
The role of specialist spinner would go to Yadav. While Patel might beat over Bishnoi to take the other spinner spot. They are not likely to consider Yuzvendra this time.
Arshdeep, Siraj, and Bumrah are the pacers whom the selectors will include. Sandeep might be included in the mix because of the perception that the Indian Premier League hasn’t precisely produced pacers.
Sandeep, who has impressed the Rajasthan Royals with his slow-medium speed, can be useful on the slow fields that they anticipate in the West Indies and the US. With Pandya in the squad, it will be up to captain Rohit to determine whether to consider Shubman Gill or to add a fourth specialist bowler.