5 Indian players who missed T20 World Cup 2021 but might get picked for 2022 mega event

Well, in the current times, team India has added a lot of fresh vitality to its T20I setup. After the last T20 World Cup debacle, the new management has rewarded players who have thrived in the IPL. Also notably since November 2021, at least 5 cricketers have debuted for India in T20Is.

However, in the England T20I series, the Indian team also gave preferred the players who will be in the 2022 World T20 contention. Only the frontline cricketers now will receive an elongated rope in T20Is. Therefore, as a result, we might witness a different T20 World Cup squad, especially in comparison to last year.

Henceforth in this list, let’s check out the 5 Indian players who had missed the 2021 T20 World Cup but can get selected for 2022.

1. Dinesh Karthik

Exactly a year ago, Dinesh Karthik was perceived to be an almost internationally retired cricketer. However, since IPL 2022, this veteran has yet again revived his white-ball career. In fact, continuing from his enriching IPL 2022 form, the gloveman had a commendable T20I home series against SA. Performance-wise, DK scored 92 runs from 4 games, especially at an explosive strike rate of 158.62.

In fact, his selection in the England T20Is indicated that Karthik might be in the main pool which is considered for the upcoming ICC event. As a proposition, the cricketer can be a deputy of Rishabh Pant or even for lower-middle order batters like Hardik or Ravindra Jadeja. Also, his towering strike rate of 183.33 in IPL 2022 provides him with a strong case of getting the World T20 ticket.

However, Karthik might face hindrances in the final squad, especially from other wicket-keeping batters like Ishan Kishan. But team India’s new dynamism in T20Is might practically allow Karthik to get on board. Overall, even the batting-friendly conditions in Australia might demand DK’s honed batting skills for the mega event.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal

Unfortunately, team India had made a huge blunder by snubbing Yuzi Chahal in the last World T20. Post that mega-event, Chahal has yet again proved himself as India’s premier white-ball spinner. Recently in IPL 2022, the spinner also bagged the most wickets (27 wickets from 17 matches).

Even in his recent home appearances against SA, the 31-year-old scalped 6 wickets from his 4 games. More importantly, skipper Rohit Sharma also wholeheartedly backs Yuzi as the attacking frontline spinner. Also with regards to his skillset, Chahal contains all the leg-spin variations along with being conventional.

Overall, India’s highest T20I wicket-taker looks to be in surety for the upcoming T20 World Cup. All in all, his performances in the forthcoming away tours will further strengthen his place at the ICC event.

3. Harshal Patel

Undoubtedly, Harshal Patel has been a big revelation for India in T20Is. In the shortest format, the pacer is one of the best in business to contain runs and scalp wickets. So far in his T20I career, the 31-year-old has bagged 19 wickets from 14 games. In fact, in the last two IPL seasons, Harshal has been overall the highest wicket-taker (51 wickets from 30 games).

Even economy-wise, the bowler’s number stands at 7.9. Perhaps maybe after Jasprit Bumrah, Harshal has been the next best Indian pacer since IPL 2021. More importantly, even in T20Is, this cricketer has emerged as an ace bowler particularly when the seniors are found absent. Comprehensively, the management might even perceive Harshal as the third frontline seamer for the ICC event.

In fact, his secondary batting skills also bring him to the forefront for selection. Barring all this, if Hardik Pandya can bowl his full quota then Harshal might even replace Mohammad Shami and enjoy the primary company of Bhuvi and Bumrah. Overall as a proportion, this player definitely looks to be a certain member of the 2022 World T20 squad. All in all, if not as a primary frontline pacer then surely as a strong backup of Jasprit Bumrah.

4. Avesh Khan

Even this tall speedster has a very strong chance of making it into the T20 World Cup squad. Just like Harshal Patel, even Avesh Khan has been amongst wickets since the past two IPL editions. More importantly in his short T20I career, the pacer has already bagged a four-wicket haul.

Perhaps as a proposition, the 25-year-old also looks well suited for the Australian conditions. As Avesh has enough pace, variations and swinging abilities, the cricketer’s selection can happen on merit. Also in his role, the bowler is super flexible to bowl in any passage of play. Additionally, the youngster also enjoys a reputation of being a natural wicket-taker.

Comprehensively, Avesh looks like an ideal package to have in any T20 World Cup team. Possibly if the pacer continues to thrive especially in away T20Is, then certainly the management will draft him in the final 15.

5. Deepak Hooda

Unquestionably, Deepak Hooda can be a big dark horse when it comes to his 2022 T20 World Cup selection. The Rohit-Dravid management has realized his full potential and is grooming him for the mega event. Perhaps as a proposition, Hooda can bat anywhere in the top six or might even get selected as a backup opener. In fact, his maiden hundred against Ireland demands him to be an established batter and cast himself in the strongest playing XI.

Even with regards to his form and performances, the 27-year-old has scored many runs at various juggling positions. Against England in the first T20I, he continued his brilliant form only to be unfortunately left out for the last two matches. For LSG, the cricketer performed the dual role of a top as well as middle-order batter. In fact, his flexible gameplay allowed Hooda to score a total of 451 runs in IPL 2022. More importantly, the batter’s strike rate of 136.67 had both the elements of attack and steadfastness.

Barring all this, Hooda’s attacking batting is equally proficient against both spin and pace. Even in powerplay conditions, Hooda exhibits himself both conventionally and with his innovative strokeplay. Overall, this bloke’s versatility and flexibility of batting anywhere make him the strongest candidate to have at the 2022 T20 World Cup.