As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home later this year, an unfamiliar problem awaits them in the spin department.
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Wickets: 15, Economy rate: 8.9.
These are the collective figures of India’s spin bowlers in the eight T20Is the team has played since the pandemic break. If that’s too small a sample size to dismiss as an aberration, the figures in the last IPL season for India’s leading spin options aren’t too enticing either. With the T20 World Cup on the near horizon, here’s splitting the spin pool based on their chances of making it to the squad.
Certainties
In order: Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar
Ravindra Jadeja is the unassailable first-choice bowler from the spin department given he adds a different dimension with the bat too, reinforced by the incredible 37-run over he blitzed off IPL 2021 Purple Cap holder, Harshal Patel. Chahal’s status as the No.1 choice in the spin department is in serious doubt after middling returns for a while now. With economy rates soaring, Chahal could miss out on the final XI, but his place in the 22-man squad is certain. Washington Sundar has been impressive in stifling the run flow and while Jadeja is set to be the spin all-rounder in the XI, Sundar is a certain pick in the squad.
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Likely in extended squad
In order: Varun Chakravarthy, Rahul Chahar, Axar Patel, Krunal Pandya
Rahul Chahar was used in the England series sparingly and should make it to the extended squad. Krunal Pandya and Axar Patel’s all-round capabilities make them likely to be part of the extended squad allowed by ICC for this tournament.
Varun Chakravarthy could be the X-factor spinner India have long been searching in T20Is. The KKR spinner was picked for the Australian tour before fitness issues hindered his final selection. With time in his hands now, Chakravarthy would be expected to work on his fitness. He has a chance to make a strong statement if selected for the Sri Lankan series in July.
The mystery factor in his bowling makes Chakravarthy a handy spinner to have for a tournament like the T20 World Cup. With batsmen struggling to pick spinners such as Chakravarthy in the early half of their careers, a push into the final XI, especially given India’s issues in the spin unit, wouldn’t be a stretch.
Outside chance
In order: Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Ravi Bishnoi
Ashwin had a rather ordinary season with the ball in the IPL, denting his chances of being picked in the final squad. However, he is the best off-spinner in the country by a mile and has fared quite well in the recent IPL seasons.
Kuldeep didn’t start for KKR in the IPL and his stocks as a spinner have gone down drastically. He stands an outside chance to make the XI, but it comes down to whether he can make an impact on the Sri Lankan tour, assuming he makes it to the second-string team set to be named for the series.
Rahul Tewatia was also picked in the squad for the England home series, but dropped on fitness grounds. A poor IPL season does not help his case either. Ravi Bishnoi, the Punjab Kings spinner, has better odds of making the squad given his variations are difficult to pick.
