England vs India 2022: Ideal Predicted T20 Series Squad for Team India

England vs India 2022: Rohit Sharma to return as we look at the ideal predicted T20 series squad for Team India.  

Team India is currently busy preparing for two bilateral series in England and Ireland. While one squad is busy playing the T20 series vs Ireland, the other squad is busy preparing for the one-off Test match vs England. More than 30 players are in the Indian camp currently, and this shows the plethora of talent available in the country. 

The T20 squad is mostly filled with youngsters as Ireland aren’t too strong a team to trouble Team India. The 2-match T20 series gives Team India a good opportunity to try out new players who otherwise would have to wait a lot before getting a chance to play – especially when the Test Team has a lot of players who would have otherwise been a part of T20 squad too. 

Squad Dilemma

What would happen when the Ireland T20 series gets over, and selectors will have to select the squad for the T20 series vs England? Will Team India persist with the same young squad or bring back most of the senior players to face a much stronger T20 side of England? Well, it’s a question that has no straightforward answer.

It completely depends on what Team India is thinking. With the T20 World Cup still a good 4 months away, and plenty of matches to be played, Team India can continue with their experimentation. If not, Team India can they can play a full-strength squad to face the mighty England T20 side. 

Ideally, the Indian Team management have got a good understanding of each player’s strength and weaknesses with the squad been there with the management for a good time now. The two Warm-up T20 matches on 1st and 3rd July will also give them a good understanding of who their best players are.

So, It would be much better if India play to their strength as matches against England would be more of a dress rehearsal for the showdown later this year in Australia. On that note, let’s look at the ideal squad for Team India for the 2022 T20 series vs England. 

Openers: Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma & Deepak Hooda

If we talk about the current best T20 openers for Team India, it would be Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. With KL Rahul injured, Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma are undoubtedly the first-choice openers for Team India in T20Is. They will definitely open in all three matches, but who will be their backup?

There are two options to look at. One is Ruturaj Gaikwad, who hasn’t had the best of outings in International cricket. The other is Deepak Hooda, who was promoted as an opener against Ireland, and he did well. Ruturaj deserves this chance to be the backup opener, but with Hooda grabbing his opportunity with both hands, his all-rounder skills give him an upper hand. Thus Deepak above Ruturaj seems a logical move for now. 

Middle-order: Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli 

Coming to the middle-order, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant should be back in the squad. That means Rahul Tripathi and Sanju Samson will be unfortunately left out. It is important for India to have a strong middle-order, and that leaves no room for experimentation. So, nothing against Tripathi and Samson, but Shreyas, Pant, and Kohli are more experienced, and should play the England series.

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja & Shardul Thakur

Coming to the all-rounders, we could see two changes with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur returning to the squad. That means Axar Patel and Venkatesh Iyer could be unfortunately left out of the squad. While Axar hasn’t been good in T20Is, Venkatesh Iyer will get his chances when other senior players shall be rested. In addition, Deepak Hooda’s off-spin could be an asset. 

Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal & Ravi Bishnoi 

Talking about the spinners, Team India can think of bringing back Ravichandran Ashwin. But the off-spinner may not be a good asset in Australia, and that means, India will retain the leg-spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi. Yuzvendra Chahal shall lead the spin duties with Ravi Bishnoi being his backup. They will also have the services of Ravindra Jadeja, if needed. 

Pacers:  Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah & Umran Malik 

This is one department which could see interesting moves in the squad. The most important question to answer would be the selection of Mohammed Shami. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar back to his best in the Powerplays, is Mohammed Shami an option in T20Is anymore?

If Mohammed Shami is selected, one of Umran Malik or Avesh Khan will have to make way. But the move seems unlikely as Bhuvi, being a similar option to Shami will be preferred. Whereas Shami could be looked at more for Tests and ODIs going forward. 

In addition to Bhuvi, Harshal, Avesh, and Umran, the team will see the return of their best pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. Even as the gap between the 5th Test and 1st T20I is merely 1 day, there is no reason why Jasprit Bumrah should be rested for this important series. Of course, Bumrah may be rested for the 1st T20I, but he should be back from the 2nd T20I; thus should be in the squad. 

England vs India 2022 – Ideal Predicted T20 Series Squad for Team India: 

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli 

Wks: Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan & Rishabh Pant 

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja & Shardul Thakur 

Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma

Other Potential Options: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Venkatesh Iyer & Mohammed Shami

Meanwhile, here’s the schedule for India vs England 2022 T20 Series:

• 1st T20I // July 07 // Southampton
• 2nd T20I // July 09 // Birmingham
• 3rd T20I // July 10 // Nottingham

Thanks for reading! What’s your squad for Team India for the 2022 T20 series vs England? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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