#7 options (not a major issue) for the upcoming T20WC22.

[zen]

Life is usually about managing limited resources (unless you plan well to enjoy the benefits of the seeds that you sow). 
 

In cricket, while we, the fans, hope for an ideal 11 (not going to be one unless you had shown the foresight in the past) which is like a mix of an AT11 of the great Aus & WI players, there is usually going to be a trade off somewhere. A trade off has its pros and cons. 
 

One of the areas where the T20 team can sharpen is the #7 (a placeholder # as the player can play anywhere in the top 7-8) position where the team has two options (none of them currently “ideal”):

 

a) Play a batsman who can bowl a few overs to share the 5th bowler’s overs. Candidates include V Iyer, Tewatia, Abhishek Sharma (who can bat in the top 3 as well but those slots are jam packed), Krunal, etc.  (Guys like Hooda are good enough to come in as one of the top 6 batsmen). Many of the candidates appear not be in the scheme of things for the upcoming T20 World Cup

 

b) Play a bowler who can bat. Candidates include Harshal, D Chahar, Thakur, Sundar (has the potential to bat in the top 4 as well but those slots are jam packed), Axar, Jadeja, etc. Looking at the recent playing 11s, the team appears to be giving more weightage to this option. Two players can also be played at #7-8 from this group (as they are bowlers who are likely to bowl 3-4 overs more often than not)

 

I think the route to go depends upon various factors including the batting form of the top 6 and the bowling form of the 4 other bowlers. 

With SDP (Hardik) bowling, along with the prospect of Hooda, who can slip in an over or two, also in the 11, what India do with this position is not a major issue (esp. if most of the others in the team are doing well). 
 

It can be treated like a luxury or wild card slot. Take the decision based on form of others in the 11 and of the candidate. 

At the moment, the team has invested in Harshal (D Chahar and may be Sundar are likely to get a shout if fit and in form) so let him get a few more chances till he either swims or sinks. 
 

Which direction would (or should) India go in the upcoming T20 World Cup (assuming  that the position is not a key concern)?

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by zen

[Adamant]

I think we should go with a batsman who can bowl as we don't have a quality bowling allrounder, Jadeja, Thakur etc bowling isn't special and their batting is terrible, so instead go with someone who can actually bat even if their bowling is not that special. 

[Ankit_sharma03]

May be hooda can be the answer but he needs to start bowling more n more and TM n captain needs to figure out his strength n weakness as bowler quickly too 

[Vijy]

I would prefer our four best wicket-taking bowlers to play in T20s regarding of their batting ability. hence, nos. 8-11 should be the best four bowlers IMO. in other words, the top 7 should be players who can walk into team as pure batters, and their bowling should be a bonus. this is why I would have both hardik and hooda in top 7. this way, we have enough bowling firepower + batting firepower.

[Lord]

2 hours ago, Adamant said:

I think we should go with a batsman who can bowl as we don't have a quality bowling allrounder, Jadeja, Thakur etc bowling isn't special and their batting is terrible, so instead go with someone who can actually bat even if their bowling is not that special. 

 

On the contrary we should go with a full bowler who can bat. At no. 7 in T20 he would be required for only 8-10 deliveries most times.

 

I'd pick Deepak Chahar.He can also rebuild the innings if required.