MSK Prasad, the former BCCI top selector, has named his India squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE in October and November. MSK Prasad has named an extended team instead of a standard 15-man roster.
Shikhar Dhawan has been a contentious choice for India’s T20 team, with KL Rahul and now Virat Kohli vying for the opening spot with Rohit Sharma.
MSK Prasad has not only included Dhawan in his selection, but he has also included Prithvi Shaw. While Shaw has been in imperious form in white-ball cricket this year, Dhawan has failed to capitalise on his opportunities for India outside of the IPL.
“Shikhar Dhawan, in my opinion, should be there. The three openers should be Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Prithvi Shaw. Virat Kohli, SKY, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant will make up the middle order. KL will bat in the middle order simply because Rohit and Shikhar are in excellent form, while Prithvi Shaw is also in excellent form. MSK Prasad told Sportskeeda, “And again, it’s under Asian circumstances, so I have a feeling he’ll be there.”
In the spin department, the 46-year-old believes Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Krunal Pandya, as well as other spin-bowling all-rounders, would all be included in the squad.
For him, the choice between Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery and Yuzvendra Chahal’s experience is arguable, as is the choice between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson.
“I don’t think they’ll take five spinners,” says the author. Washington Sundar is a T20 specialist bowler without a doubt, and Jadeja will be in the squad nonetheless. Then there’s Krunal Pandya, who can bat, bowl, and field. Apart from these three, whether you go with a Chahal or an ex-factor in Varun Chakravarthy will be determined by their performance in the IPL, which will be held in the UAE as well,” he added.