NEW DELHI: The biggest challenge for India’s selection committee when it meets Tuesday to pick the 15-member squad for next month’s Asia Cup in the UAE will be finding a way to fit in a brilliant batter like Shubman Gill.
Despite a stellar run in England as Test captain, Gill has not yet found a natural spot in the T20 side set to play the continental tournament from September 9 to 28. For Ajit Agarkar and his colleagues, the dilemma is how to adjust a team that arguably doesn’t need fixing.
It’s a “scary” predicament, but Indian cricket is currently a T20 talent factory, with at least 30 players ready to step into the national squad and three to four options vying for every position.
Top-order dilemmas
For the top three batting positions, six players of similar calibre are available. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have been outstanding for India over the past season. Yet equally impressive, if not more so, are Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and IPL Orange Cap winner Sai Sudharsan.
Bowling conundrums
Among spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravi Bishnoi are competing for a single slot, while veteran Yuzvendra Chahal has long been overlooked. But with only 15 spots available, choices remain tough.
One school of thought within the team management holds that it would be unfair to sideline a consistent first XI player merely to accommodate a bigger brand name. Another perspective emphasises the benefits of having an all-format captain like Gill, who is also a major marketing asset. Yet assuming this transition would be smooth would be an oversimplification.
Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India’s T20 squad boasts a remarkable 85% win record, having won 17 of the last 20 games—none of which included Gill or Jaiswal. Before focusing on Tests over the past year, both were active in T20Is and IPLs, performing strongly. Gill even served as vice-captain under Surya before Test commitments pulled him away, with Axar Patel stepping in as deputy and performing admirably.
However, Axar may feel sidelined if Gill assumes his former deputy role. If selectors include Gill in the 15, one of Sanju, Abhishek, or Tilak may have to compromise, and Rinku Singh could be dropped, as he has not made a significant impact for India or Kolkata Knight Riders under head coach Gautam Gambhir, who does not assign a designated finisher role.
Pacers
With Hardik Pandya as a frontline seam option and Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh automatic picks, there are three candidates for the reserve seamer slot. Harshit Rana appears to be the favourite, with Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj being considered red-ball specialists. For the home series against the West Indies starting October 2, Bumrah may not play, giving Prasidh and Siraj the chance to regain form.
Spinners
Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav are the primary spin options, with Gambhir’s preference for all-rounders likely bringing Washington Sundar into the squad. Pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not expected to be as slow or worn as in the Champions Trophy but still provide reasonable assistance for spinners.
Finishers and wicketkeeper-batters
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant are recovering from injuries, leaving Shivam Dube as the second seam-bowling all-rounder after Pandya. The second wicketkeeper’s spot is a contest between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel. Jitesh impressed as a lower-order finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL-winning campaign, making him a strong candidate for the role.
