T20 World Cup 2021: India's best starting XI against Pakistan considering current form of players

The BCCI had announced the 15-member India squad for the upcoming 2021 T20 World Cup 2021 on September 8. The squad consists of several world class players as well as players who have been in good form of late. All of them will have to be at their best as this is an ICC trophy and only the best can win it.

India will be facing arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the T20 WC on October 24 in Dubai. This promises to be a cracker of a contest as both these teams have had their own history of amazing encounters. The last time these two teams faced each other in a T20I game was in the 2016 T20 WC.

However, only the players who are in the best of form shall feature in this game as it is arguably one of India’s biggest games of the tournament. All eyes will be on the Indian team in order to see if they manage to get the better of their rivals Pakistan. So, which are those players who are in good form and would thus, feature in India’s playing XI?

In the article, we shall be taking a look at India’s best starting XI against Pakistan considering current form of players

1) Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been one of India’s prolific batters for quite a while now. The opener has been in superb touch as well. In his first game of the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, he looked in good touch as he scored 43.

He was India’s best batsman in the Test series against England in England as well. In his last innings over there, he scored an amazing century. This might be a completely different format but that knock proved that he was in good nick.

India’s vice captain in limited-overs cricket has a good record against Pakistan too. Add to that his superb T20I record. Thus, Rohit’s current form suggests that we’re in for an absolute treat.

2) KL Rahul

KL Rahul is unarguably one of India’s best T20I batsmen. His form of late has been more than decent too. Like his opening partner Rohit, he too had an amazing series in England. The opener was easily India’s second best batsman over there.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper has been in sublime touch in the IPL 2021 as well. He has scored 422 runs in 10 innings. His batting average in this season has been 52.75. The fact that he has been carrying his team’s batting is an icing on the cake for his fans.

However, he is yet to score a 50 in the second phase of the season. Nevertheless, he did score 49 against the Royals and got a couple of starts in the two games. This shows that he still hasn’t lost his good form.

3) Virat Kohli (C)

Is any Indian playing XI even complete without Virat Kohli? We think not! Irrespective of the Indian captain’s form in the other two formats, his form in the shortest format of the game has been brilliant. As a matter of fact, he has played well in every T20 series in 2021.

It started in the T20I series against England where he was scoring runs for fun. He won the player of the series award for his brilliant performances as well. He has had a decent IPL 2021 as well. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper has played with a lot of responsibility so far.

The batting maestro has scored two fifties in his last 4 IPL games. So far, he has scored 332 runs in 11 innings at an average of 33.20. He has an exceptional T20I record against Pakistan and thus, is a threat to them.

4) Suryakumar Yadav

In this playing XI, the one player who hasn’t actually been good in his last few games is Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order batsman has looked woefully out of touch in the second phase of IPL 2021. It gets worse when you realize that he hasn’t even scored in the double digits in the UAE leg.

However, winning by default is still winning and thus, SKY makes it to this playing XI. One of the major reasons for this is the fact that Ishan Kishan’s form has been worse. Besides, India don’t really have a number 4 other than him and Kishan.

However, one must remember that he was literally in the form of his life before the commencement of the second phase of IPL 2021. His T20I numbers are phenomenal to say the least. He has an average of 46.33 and a strike rate of 169.51 with 2 fifties to his name.

5) Rishabh Pant (WK)

2021 has been Rishabh Pant’s year. He has totally transformed himself and is now an absolute match winner for India. Despite not scoring a 50, he looked in good touch against England in the T20 series earlier in March.

After being named the new skipper of the Delhi Capitals (DC), he showed an immense sense of maturity. The wicketkeeper has scored 311 runs in 11 games so far. His batting average has been 38.88 despite batting in the middle order.

He has looked good in most of the recent games for DC as well. He first finished the game against SRH superbly as he scored 35 from 21 deliveries. He then scored a superb 39 in rather tricky conditions again the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

6) Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been one of India’s best all-rounders for quite a while now. However, there was a big question mark regarding his fitness as he wasn’t bowling too frequently. Add to that his lukewarm form earlier this year.

However, he has managed to get back his lost touch. He first was seen bowling during the limited-overs games against England and Sri Lanka which was a good sign. Despite him being inconsistent, he showed a lot of promise in his most recent game against PBKS.

When his team was struggling, he was calm throughout his stay and held the innings together. The all-rounder scored 40 runs from 30 balls. This includes a few sixes against a world class bowler like Mohammed Shami.

7) Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the most impactful player in the world currently. Bowling, batting, fielding….Is there anything he can’t do? It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he has been the best Indian player of late.

He is one of the few players who was magnificent in both, the first half as well as the second half of IPL 2021. The all-rounder also happens to be one of the most valuable players of the tournament as of now. His strike rate with the bat this season has been 146.72.

His batting average this season is a whopping 59.67. However, more than the numbers, it’s his impact which has impressed one and all. Be it the game against RCB where he won CSK a game all my himself or the game against KKR where he changed the entire complexion of the game, his form has been brilliant of late.

8) Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin’s inclusion shocked one and all. Not many expected him to be named in the T20 WC squad as it was perceived by a few in 2017 that his limited-overs career was over. However, the legend has made a comeback to the shortest format of the game with some style.

Ashwin has been superb in the IPL 2021 so far. Despite not being a regular name in the wickets column, he has managed to control the flow of runs of the opposition teams. Barring the first game of the first phase of IPL 2021 against the Super Kings, he has been economical throughout the tournament.

His economy rate in the second phase of the season has been just a touch above 6. Taking the conditions into consideration, these are ominous signs. With the way the offie is playing in these conditions, it would be surprising if he doesn’t wreck havoc in the upcoming T20 WC.

9) Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the unluckiest Indian cricketers. Every time he looks in good form, he gets injured and thus, gets ruled out. However, he has been consistently good of late without getting injured.

Firstly, he was superb in his last T20I series against England and Sri Lanka respectively. He even won the player of the match award in the series decider against England. He then showed good signs in the IPL 2021.

Despite his team not doing good, he was more than decent. The seamer has been a veteran in this format of the game and has picked 51 T20I wickets. Thus, he will be a key player for India going into the T20 WC.

10) Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy has been a sensation in the IPL. It is safe to call him an “X Factor”. The best part about him being in the Indian squad is the fact that many batters still haven’t seen him and have no clue about his strengths and weaknesses.

However irrespective of that, he has been in superb form of late. The leggie has picked 11 wickets so far and has an economy rate of just 6.81. His performance in the UAE leg has been even better.

The mystery spinner has picked 4 wickets in 4 games so far including a match winning spell against RCB. Even in the games where he didn’t pick wickets, he was very economical. Thus, he will definitely start in the playing XI against Pakistan.

11) Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is arguably one of the best T20 bowlers. Seldom would you find a pacer as valuable as him. You know how good he is when people appreciate his bowling even on his off days.

The pacer has been superb of late as well. His performances in the ongoing IPL 2021 will definitely put a smile on the face of every Indian fan. He is currently placed third on the list of the most number of wickets taken in IPL 2021.

The MI pacer has picked 16 wickets in this edition so far. His bowling average and strike rate are 20.50 and 16.12 respectively. If India are to have a good game against Pakistan, then he definitely has to continue his good form.