India face combination dilemma despite Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant positives in only warm-up

The India Cricket Team went on to beat Bangladesh by 60 runs in their only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, despite a comprehensive win, there are quite a dilemma which will continue to bother Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. Save Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant, none of the other batters were revealed as positives.

Batting first India went on to amass 182/5 runs. In reply, Bangladesh managed 122/9 after their stipulated 20 overs. While the Indian bowling unit performed well, the same cannot be said about the batting unit.

Opening Pair Conundrum

Fans were left surprised when Sanju Samson walked to the crease to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. But his stay on the crease was short lived as he managed to score just 1 run from 6 deliveries. With no Yashasvi Jasiwal taking part in the game, it raises the question about India’s opening pair.

Sanju Samson will not be considered as an opener under any condition. Does that mean, Virat Kohli is partner Rohit Sharma at the two openers for India. If Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t feature in the Indian Playing XI, then it opens up another spot at the lower order which can fit another enforcer in the team.

It remains to be seen as to who will partner Rohit Sharma on 5th June when India take on Ireland in the opening game. Virat Kohil or Yashasvi Jaiswal?

Rishabh Pant fixed as keeper, Where does Sanju fit?

Rishabh Pant had a massive comeback to the National Team. After being away from the team for days, Rishabh Pant returned with a bang! The ace southpaw went on to hammer a scintillating fifty against Bangladesh. While Sanju Samson faltered, Pant’s fitness and fine form made him steal the keeper’s spot in the team.

So now that the keeper’s spot is done and dusted, where does Sanju Samson fit in the team. There is still a chance for Sanju to play an active part for India in the T20 World Cup campaign. Should Virat Kohli open with Rohit and Yashasvi sit out, then there opens a spot in the lower order, where Sanju can fit in.

Be it at 5 or 6 or even 7, he can swap his positions as a floater in the lower order and play as per the game demands from him.

Shivam Dube’s off-form!

While Hardik Pandya impressed everyone with his blistering hits, fans expected the same from Shivam Dube. But it was a complete role reversal from what fans have seen in IPL 2024. Shivam Dube could only manage to score 14 runs from 16 balls, in an innings where he got multiple lifelines.

Dube went on the aggression from the very beginning. He tried hitting huge sixes, but couldn’t manage to hit it from the middle of the bat, sans once. Dube hit long and high ariel shots which landed on no man’s land. But his misery was cut short when he was dismissed by Mahedi Hasan.

Will Dube retain his place in the team? This will trouble the think tanks. But then again, while he faltered with the bat, he was effective with the ball. Dube bowled 3 overs where he gave away just 13 runs and managed to scalp 3 wickets. So it will surely be a tough call for Rohit Sharma on the Dube matter.

Siraj vs Arshdeep – Fight for 2nd Pacer’s spot

Arshdeep Singh bowled well, as did Mohammed Siraj. So how the pertinent question is, who gets to bowl as the second pacer in the team? While the left arm pacer bagged 2 wickets, Siraj was equally good as he scalped a solitary wicket. Hardik Pandya is already the established 3rd pacer in the team.

Since the tournament is held in USA and West Indies where the pitches as slow, there is no provision to play both Siraj and Arshdeep as India can play 4 pacers. But unfortunately that won’t be the case. So it will be either of the two.

Now this will be a extremely difficult call for Rohit and Dravid to make. Will they go for the more experienced Siraj or the more economical Arshdeep?