The T20 series against Srilanka might just have decided the fate of some of the Indian players in regard to the T20 WC 2021. The T20 World Cup is less than 3 months away from now. Hence, the selectors might have had a close look at the Srilanka Tour in order to identify the players for selection to the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad of India.
While players such as Rahul Chahar and Deepak Chahar strengthened their candidature for selection to the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad, some players might have had closed the doors for themselves.
5 Players who might not make it to the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad of India
Sanju Samson
Another substandard performance of Sanju Samson in the T20 series against Srilanka might just have blocked his road to India’s 2021 World Cup Squad. Samson played all the three T20Is against Srilanka but was unsuccessful in leaving any positive imprints.
He was looking good in the 1st T20 where he scored a 20-ball 27 but threw his wicket away. In the 2nd T20, he got out even cheaply making 7 runs. Sanju could not even open his account in the 3rd T20 as Hasaranga got him out for a Duck.
Sanju has surely weakened his candidature for India’s 2021 T20 World Cup Squad. India already has 2 wicketkeeper-batsman, namely, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, whose tickets to the WC are almost sure.
Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey’s contention for the middle-order batsman spot in the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad might be in danger. Pandey couldn’t play any good knock in the ODI series against Srilanka and as a result, he suffered exclusion from the first T20.
He then went on to be unavailable for selection in the 2nd and the 3rd T20 due to Covid Protocols. Pandey has never had a fixed spot in the Indian team and now with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan performing well, his chances of getting selected in the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad of India are even less.
Kuldeep Yadav
In the Srilanka Tour, Kuldeep Yadav got chances in the Playing XI after a long period of time. Kuldeep did take 2 wickets in the 2nd T20I vs Srilanka but at the same time he gave away 30 runs which affected his figures. Kuldeep Yadav went wicketless in the 3rd T20.
With spinners like Yuzevendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar and Varun Chakravarthy performing well, Kuldeep Yadav might not find himself in the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad of India. Only if Kuldeep performs exceptionally well in the 2nd leg of IPL 2021, he could make it to the squad.
Devdutt Padikkal
The IPL sensation and the 2nd highest run-scorer of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal, made his debut for India in the 2nd T20 against Srilanka. Though the expectations were high from the youngster, he could not make any significant impact in the two T20s he played.
Padikkal was looking good in the 2nd T20. He made 29 runs in just 23 balls but then got out trying to play a sweep shot. The right-hander could only make 9 (15) in the 3rd T20.
The top order of Team India which includes players like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, would most likely not require the services of Devdutt Padikkal for the 2021 T20 World Cup. Padikkal is just a 21-year old and can expect to get numerous opportunities in future.
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Navdeep Saini
Saini was included in the XI in the 2nd T20I but he wasn’t made to bowl a single over by the skipper Shikhar Dhawan. He didn’t get a chance in the 3rd T20. It must be clear from this that Navdeep Saini might not be considered for selection to the 2021 T20 World Cup Squad of India.
Navdeep Saini still has a chance to make the selectors think about him as the IPL no too far. Most likely, Saini will get to play all the matches from his IPL side, RCB. Hence, he is having a fair chance to prove himself to the selectors.
