For a spot in the T20 World Cup team, the former Indian spinner chose between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar.
Deepak Chahar; Bhuvneshwar Kumar (ANI)
Team India’s limited-overs season in India came to a close with a 3-0 series victory against Sri Lanka at home. India has yet to lose a T20I match under Rohit Sharma’s full-time leadership, with the Rohit-led team also winning clean sweeps over New Zealand (November 2021) and the West Indies (February 2022). The team is also presently rated first in the shortest format.
India’s bench strength was put to the test throughout the three T20I series, as a number of prominent players were either rested or injured; although Virat Kohli only played in the Windies T20Is, Bumrah was absent from the series against New Zealand and the West Indies. Rishabh Pant was also rested for the Sri Lanka series. This allows the team’s management to use youthful players in diverse roles; nonetheless, a rivalry is building between two seasoned pacers in one of the bowling positions.
For a few years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar have been first-team regulars on the Indian T20I squad. Both players featured in the same XI twice in the series against the West Indies earlier this month; but, because to their comparable skill sets, it is doubtful that they will be in the same team during the T20 World Cup. As a result, if a World Cup XI were to be chosen today, one of the two players may be forced to sit out.
Based on his present form, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be the one to miss out.
“I feel Deepak Chahar is marginally ahead based on their previous results.” Yes, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been excellent in recent games, but Chahar has made significant strides in the batting department. On that basis, I believe he is ahead of Bhuvi,” Pathan remarked on Star Sports.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that both players should not be included in the team, much alone the starting XI, for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia in October and November this year.
“You’d prefer to maintain just one of Deepak Chahar and Bhuvi since their skillsets are comparable. “At least one of them will be in the 15-member team,” Aakash said.
