After the marquee tournament for the fifty-over format is complete, India will have their eyes on the T20 World Cup hosted by West Indies and the United States of America in 2024. But uncertainty looms around the Indian team with the side seemingly trying to figure out the right combinations and also bringing in younger players to the international stage as well.
Former Indian batter and wicket-keeper, Parthiv Patel shared his thoughts regarding the current situation around the Indian team with the T20 World Cup coming around the corner.
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Speaking to Cricbuzz, the former wicket-keeper shared,” “India’s biggest challenge to me has always been finding that right combination, especially in the T20 format.”
In the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia, the Indian team were without some of the big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and others in the squad who were rested after their valiant performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup despite coming up short in the final.
The very same senior players are also not in the squads for the white-ball leg of India’s tour of South Africa as well. Parthiv Patel added,” Now we are talking about just three Afghanistan games if at all Virat or Rohit or Bumrah play in that. So I think it is something which India will have to take into account.”
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The problem with regards to finding a balance between, the right team combinations along with giving appropriate game-time for the players ahead of the T20 World Cup becomes a bigger issue as after the South Africa tour, India only has the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at home in January.
Parthiv Patel believes that it is a tricky situation and believes that “they will have to go with whoever does well in the IPL. But then you will have to announce the team about halfway through the IPL as well. So it is a challenge. I am sure that before announcing the team they must have thought of who is in line for the World Cup and whether we want to get them for the Afghanistan series.”
The former Indian cricketer also added,“I think they are looking at more options by going with this young squad. There is no lack of supply of talent in India.”
A notable development is the rise of the young Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi who is now at the top of the bowler’s rankings in the T20I format after a stellar display against Australia.
However Parthiv Patel still believes that India has a problem, he added,” A problem of plenty is still a problem and we have to find the right combination. In whatever tournaments they have played, India was not out-skilled. They were tactically outplayed.”
Uncertainty remains as to who would lead the Indian team for the tournament with doubts regarding the availability of senior players like Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
India will kick off their tour of South Africa with a three-match T20I series which is set to begin on December 10, 2023, at Durban with the Men in Blue looking to prepare themselves as well as possible ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2024.
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