Sunil Gavaskar Speaks About Selection Dilemmas ahead of Ireland Series
By: Mohit Singhal
T20 World Cup 2022: With the conclusion of the IPL 2022 that offered many emerging players which will keep those Indian spirits high, it came as nothing less than skepticism for the national selectors of whom to choose and who will wait.
Young pacers in Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel have made their way to the India colours. Malik and Arshdeep are yet to don the India cap despite being in the squad.
In the pack of opinions, one more former cricketer has put his hands on it. Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has also spoken about who can be given preferences and who will lay back from the hurdle.
T20 World Cup 2022: Picks a pacer as a “Trump Card”
T20 World Cup 2022: Gavaskar picked Indian pacer Harshal Patel as the Trump Card for Rohit and company in the upcoming world cup. Patel was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded series against Proteas picking up 7 wickets with best bowling figures of 4/27 in the third T20I
Harshal can be the great choice in the death overs going hand-in-hand with Jasprit Bumrah and with long Australian grounds, Patel has an extra advantage concerning his variations.
“He can be the trump card India is looking for as you have Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah as well. He can provide an extra boost to the squad. Brilliant for a skipper to have someone like Harshal to depend on. He has the ability to come in and bowl maybe even in the powerplay where pacers are now going with a change of pace. So yes, he certainly should be part of the group,” Gavaskar said.
“Can’t see his name popping out”: Gavaskar
With Rohit and Rahul being preferred for opening in the shortest format, Gavaskar feels that Shikhar Dhawan has been left to be even in contention for that spot.
The left-arm veteran is been ignored for this format since he last played the T20I series in Sri Lanka where he captained the side as well.
Dhawan has scored 1,719 runs in this format and he is only the 2nd player after Virat Kohli to reach the 6,000 runs feat in the Indian Premier League.
“No, I don’t see his name popping up”, says Gavaskar
“If it had to pop up, it would have been in this squad that is going to play in Ireland. A lot of players have gone to England and he could have been in this team. If he is not in this team, I don’t see him ending in the mix for T20 World Cup.”
India will brace its world cup preparations with the Ireland series starting from 26 June following which had three t20s against England, then against Windies and will follow it with Asia Cup.