Though the India team is looking a bit undercooked in the bowling department for the much-awaited T20 World Cup to be played in Australia, the batting line-up is no doubt formidable. Besides, there are some match winners in the team ranks who are capable enough to take away the game from any opposition on any given day.
India had last won the coveted trophy 15 years back under the stewardship of ‘Captain Cool’. Though cricket is a team game, India bank on those proven match winners to make an impact in the mega event.
Here is a look at the possible gamechangers for India.
Suryakumar Yadav
After the great AB de Villiers from South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav has proven himself as a 360 degree cricketer. The right-handed attacking batsman has a range of shots all around the ground to bamboozle the bowler. Surya (as he is fondly known) can play three-to four kind of shots on a particular ball. ‘SKY’ is currently the best batter in the star-studded batting line-up of Team India.
Surya has scored a total of 801 runs in 23 games at an impressive strike rate of 184.56 including one century and six fifties in 2022. He has struck as many as 68 fours and 51 sixes during this period. In this process, Surya surpassed Shikhar Dhawan to become the highest scorer in a single calendar year in the shortest format of the game. Surya doesn’t have the experience of playing in Australian conditions before. But given his range of shots and current form, he may be a nightmare for the opposition bowlers.
Hardik Pandya
The utility all-rounder has possibly undertaken a kind of metamorphosis. He has improved vastly since his return to the team after an injury. More importantly, he is willing to take responsibility and eager to finish games. Hardik has become more mature and he is able to read the game well.
Under Hardik’s stewardship, Gujarat Titans emerged champions in IPL 2022 and that role has done a world of good for the all-rounder. He is a much improved bowler now and his addition as a sixth bowler gives the much needed balance to the team. As per many experts, his kind of bowling will be really effective in Australian conditions. He has also the potential to destroy any bowling attack on his given day. He has a high bat speed by using which he gets the elevation right. This kind of trait makes him a dangerous batsman in the lower middle order. 2022 has been a fruitful year for Pandya and he has scored a total of 436 runs from 19 T20 matches at a strike rate of 151.38 during the period. He has also taken 12 wickets in the shortest format of the game during the year. He is considered a great asset for Team India and is expected to be successful Down the Under.
Axar Patel
Though all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja’s place is irreplaceable in the team, his injury was a kind of a blessing in disguise for Axar Patel to prove his mettle. Going by his current form, Axar could be quite a handful during the mega event. He keeps it simple by bowling a tight line and length with a slight change of pace in the air and slight variations. Batters have found it difficult to play big shots against him.
It is up to captain Rohit Sharma how to use him judiciously in the middle overs to keep a check on the scoring rate. Axar is also capable enough to give important breakthroughs and break partnerships. In Australian conditions with big grounds, his kind of bowling could be effective. Besides, his six hitting prowess is known to one and all. He has the potential to take the game away from the opposition with his attacking instinct lower down the order.