Matchup Monday #4 - The WINNING 🇮🇳 XI for the T20 WC

Rather than listing the ‘15-man squad’ that many news outlets will publish, it will be more beneficial to list who will get SELECTED as the playing XI in idyllic conditions.

This is my undisputed playing XI.

1. Rohit Sharma

You can’t drop a captain anyway, but even if he weren’t captain, I would still select him. For a couple of reasons, he has a knack for performing on big-stage occasions, like how he began the Indian innings in the 2023 ODI WC Final as a specific example. He also would be the most appropriate captain for this big stage, Kohli won’t be captaining, and Pandya’s strategic mishaps in the IPL are not looking good on his resume.

Plus, his batting is good, he is ranked 15th in the IPL orange cap as of writing and he has even hit a century.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Although he might be classified as a ‘hit or miss’ players, he ‘hits’ more than he ‘misses’. The opening pair between Buttler and him has propelled RR to the top of the IPL table, with his strike rate never dipping, setting a stage for the RR middle order to carry on.

The issue with having Gill is that he is not in form, and it is not looking like he will be in time for the T20 WC.

3. Virat Kohli

Should there even be an explanation?

KING KOHLI is the man to go for consistency, the backbone of a run-chase, and as an anchor for the other partner to go beserk, like in the RCB vs GT match where Kohli’s knock alllowed Will Jacks to thrash bowlers such as Rashid Khan and Mohit Sharma.

And yeah, he played an integral role in the best T20 match ever played, IND vs PAK 2022 WC in Melbourne, that shot against Haris Rauf has been replayed multiple times by every Indian fan across the globe.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (SKY)

He isn’t ranked No.1 in T20 for no reason.

Albeit his form is not the highest as it could be in the IPL, he came back from an injury and has helped MI to win a few matched with his crucial knocks. In the big stage, his unorthodox playing style will throw the opposition, bringing the run rate high enough that it is beyond competitive.

He has a track record of converting a start into a match-winning knock, a trait that will be beneficial for India.

5. Rishabh Pant

I know many readers may be fuming over the decision of Pant over Samson and I am going to give some reasons why I have done so.

Rishabh Pant is a specialist when delivering under pressure.

Samson hasn’t had much success overseas, which he has been given many chances. If it were an ordinary series, he may be given a few matches, but this is the World Cup, where Rishabh Pant is delivering everything Team India requires, so why change anything?

Samson may be given a chance against non-competitive teams such as Netherlands, however for the long run, Rishabh has the innate ability to shift the batting attitude which we have witnessed time and time again.

6. Rinku Singh / Shivam Dube

Honestly this comes down to the selector’s mood. Both have been performing to an astonishly high standard in the IPL, with Rinku Singh being reliable and Dube being a natural big-striker.

We can’t discount Rinku Singh’s five 6’s in a row, and we can’t discount Dube’s game after game performances.

We will have to test and give each one their respective opportunities and whoever does well, gets to play.

7. Hardik Pandya

Contrary to public opinion, he stands as a viable all-rounder for the Indian Team.

His bowling has shown seam movement and swing, providing India with 3 seamers.

People have been critiquing his batting however when the batting really needs him, he really does perform, whether it be the 2022 T20 WC Semi-Final or many IPL run chases, when the time comes, he will perform.

We cannot exclude a high quality player due to a period of lack of form.

8. Ravindra Jadeja

He is the definition of a true, valuable, all-rounder.

A gun on the field, batting and with his bowling.

We already know he capability with the bat, winning the 2023 IPL Final for the CSK and his bowling in only on an incline.

A player with his experience is key for a world-stage tournament like the T20 WC.

9. Jasprit Bumrah

Ah… The King of Yorkers. The Purple Cap Holder.

What is there to fault with this exceptional bowler?

He is experienced, talented and fast, making him the likely contender for the most wickets in the T20 WC.

10. Mohammed Siraj

He is the type of bowler that keeps on delivering wickets, even at the expense of runs occassionally.

He was successful in Australia and still remains around the top in the bowler rankings.

11. Yuzvrendra Chahal

He is the best spinner India has right now.

His recent performance in the IPL has justified his spot in this XI, with his competitor being Kuldeep Yadav, which he has outperformed.

India will now have two spinners and three seamers and batting depth up till 8.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Nitish Kumar Reddy -

Riyan Parag -

Tilak Verma -

Shubman Gill -

Ishan Kishan -

Sanju Samson -

Rahul Tewatia -

Mohammed Shami -

Ramandeep Singh -