India won their last T20I series before the T20 World Cup, beating Afghanistan 3-0 and here’s what we learnt from the three games.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is above Shubman Gill as opener in the pecking order

With several openers already in the fray, the return of Rohit Sharma posed another problem for India: Who would bat at the top alongside the skipper? The team made their plans clear after announcing Yashasvi Jaiswal as the opener ahead of the first T20I but a last-minute injury meant Gill came out up top instead. Gill showed intent in his 12-ball 23 but he made way for Jaiswal in the next game.

Jaiswal lived up to the faith shown in him by scoring a 34-ball 68 in the second game in the run chase of 173. The youngster not only offers the team with a left-hand option but has also impressed in T20Is with a strike rate of 161.93 and is expected to open in the USA.

Rohit, Kohli make strong cases for themselves

There was much talk about the return of India’s two stars, back in the T20I set-up for the first time since the T20 World Cup in 2022. Rohit, whose strike rate was criticised in the event two years ago, was out for ducks in the first two games but in Bengaluru, he showed why he belonged. He adapted well on a tricky surface after India were 22-4 and then raced away to a record fifth ton. He also showed his big-hitting skills in the two Super Overs, with a four-ball 14 and three-ball 11.

Kohli missed the first game and made a duck in the third, but in between, he struck 29 in 16 balls. He looked to attack after walking out in the first over, playing a lofted hit on the second ball and then an unconventional slog sweep. He was also excellent on the field, leaping to save a match-defining six with one hand.

India might just have a backup for Hardik Pandya

Over the years, India have struggled to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya, a seaming all-rounder who can bowl in the powerplay and don the role of a finisher with the bat. During the series, India’s worries were lessened with the emergence of Dube.

Dube has been excellent in the IPL in the last two seasons, striking at 156.22 and 158.33 in 2022 and 2023 respectively and hitting the most sixes by an Indian batter – 51. He translated his form into the international stage as well, making two quick sixties in the first two games to win the Player of the Series award, with his 124 runs coming at a strike rate of 158.97.

Dube also picked up two wickets in the series and while he was expensive and lacks the flexibility that Hardik gives with the ball, he can chip in with a few overs, an aspect which becomes even more crucial considering the lack of batting all-rounders in the side.

Jitesh Sharma is ahead in the race to be the wicketkeeper

India currently have five wicketkeeper candidates – Jitesh, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The first three have not set the stage on fire to emerge as the clear favourite, but Jitesh seems to be just ahead.

He scored 31 in 20 in the first game but was out for a duck in the second. Samson, who played the last match, was dismissed first ball to extend his indifferent form in T20Is that has seen him make over 30 and strike over 140 only once in his last nine innings.

Samson has also shown signs of inconsistency in the IPL, failing to maintain his form through the season, while Jitesh, though relatively new, has a strike rate of 159.24 in 26 IPL matches. With India looking to bring in more aggressive players on the side, Jitesh seems to be the front-runner unless things change drastically in the IPL.

There’s also Rahul, who was dropped after struggling with his strike rate in the T20 World Cup in Australia. According to reports, Rahul, traditionally an opener, is keen to bat in the middle order in the upcoming IPL to push for a World Cup spot, with the top order already brimming with options. Rahul has done well lower down in ODIs and recently in the South Africa Test series, and a turnaround in the shortest format might await.

Pant is likely to play the IPL as an Impact Player, according to reports, following his accident last year, but whether he’s in the fray or not will depend on his fitness levels. India have a glut of batting options. The decision will be tough and crucial.

Ravi Bishnoi emerges as India’s No.1 spinner

Though Bishnoi only picked up two wickets and gave away 10.18 runs an over, he bowled in the powerplay and was also entrusted to send down the second Super Over in Bengaluru. He was especially impressive in Indore, sending down 41.7 per cent dot balls in the powerplay whilst also taking Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s wicket. Bishnoi also conceded only one run and grabbed two wickets in the Super Over to hand India the win in the third T20I.

Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, conceded 31 runs in three overs in the game, playing only in Bengaluru. Bishnoi played all three matches.

India also have the option of Yuzvendra Chahal, but he has not played in any T20 World Cup yet and his last T20I was in August 2023.

The pace bowling resources aren’t there yet

With Mohammed Shami seemingly no longer in the T20I plans, India’s bowling will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Left-hander Arshdeep Singh will be the third seamer but the trouble begins after that. Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan were the other seamers used by India in the series and were expensive. Avesh went for 55 in his lone match in Bengaluru and Mukesh was inconsistent, missing his yorkers more than he nailed them.

Prasidh Krishna, Harshal Patel and Umran Malik are not in the fray for selection, leaving India’s fast-bowling bench far from intimidating.

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