T20 World Cup 2021: India’s probable playing XI

The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup is a tournament that will be anticipated with a great sense of fervour by all the fans. And, the Virat Kohli-led Indian side will be one of the favourites to win the title, as they have many match-winners in their ranks.

One of the keenly discussed topics is the playing XI of the Indian side for the mega event. In this article, let us take a look at the probable Indian playing XI for the T20 World Cup this year.

The Squad is Out! 🙌

What do you make of #TeamIndia for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup❓ pic.twitter.com/1ySvJsvbLw

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021

Openers: KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma

The two men who are likely to open the batting for India are Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The ‘Hitman’ is one of the greatest T20I players of all time. Rohit is the third-highest run-scorer in the history of T20I cricket and has plundered 2864 runs at a strike rate of close to 140. He is also the only cricketer to have scored 4 centuries in T20I cricket.

KL Rahul boasts of a good record in T20I cricket. The right-hander has plundered 1557 runs in T20Is and has scored them at an average of close to 40 and a strike rate over 140 as well.

Middle Order and wicketkeeper: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant

The middle-order will comprise Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant. Kohli walks into the side as the skipper. The batting legend is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket history and has scored 3159 runs at a whopping average of 52.65.

Suryakumar Yadav has experienced a scintillating start to his T20I career. In the 4 innings that he has played in T20Is, the right-hander has scored 139 runs at an average of 46.33, and a strike rate of close to 170. He has also plundered 2197 runs in IPL cricket.

The mercurial Rishabh Pant will occupy the No.5 spot. Pant has scored 512 runs for the Indian side in T20Is and has scored them at an average over 20. Pant is a player who can take the game away from the opposition, and his IPL strike rate of 149.80 in 76 matches stands testimony to the same. Pant will don the wicket-keeping gloves as well.

 All Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin

The three all-rounders who are likely to take the field for India are Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hardik Pandya. Pandya is a man who can strike lusty blows and give the impetus to the Indian side in the death overs. And, Jadeja is arguably one of the best all-rounders in limited-overs cricket at the moment.

Jadeja can scalp crucial wickets with his left-arm spin, can clear the fence with his willow, and is the best fielder on the Indian side. Jadeja has featured in 50 T20Is for India and also has the experience of playing a colossal 191 matches in IPL cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin was added to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, and the wily right arm spinner will surely get purchase on the slow wickets in the UAE. Ashwin is a hugely experienced cricketer and has played 46 T20Is, and 159 IPL matches. While he has scalped 52 wickets in T20Is, he has prized out 139 batsmen in the IPL.

Bowlers: Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

The three bowlers who will take the field for India in the T20 World Cup are Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Chahar has been impressive in his short T20I career for India, having picked up 7 wickets in 5 matches. Also, Chahar did a good job for the Mumbai Indians in the first half of the 2021 edition of the IPL as well, picking up 11 wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah walks into the Indian playing XI, and there is no need to explain why. He will be the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack. The final name that makes the list is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kumar is the 4th highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is and has scalped 50 wickets at an average of 25.10. He will get movement upfront with the new ball and will be the ideal fast bowling partner for Bumrah.

India’s playing XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah