Mukesh Kumar or Tushar Deshpande - which fast-bowler should India pick for 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe?
As the dust settles in on Team India's historic 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and the massive celebrations that followed, the younger generation will look to carry the winning momentum in their upcoming series against Zimbabwe. The Men in Blue will take on the African nation in a five-match T20I series from July 6 to 14 with all the matches to be played in Harare.
With most World Cup members rested and several first-timers selected to the squad, Team India's future is well and truly here. Among the few selection dilemmas in the playing XI for the opening T20I is the choice of the medium-pacers.
It is almost certain Khaleel Ahmed, who was part of the travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup, would be a sure starter. He will likely be partnered by Avesh Khan, the most experienced of the pacers.
It leaves the third pace-bowling slot a battle between Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande, considering the other pacer Harshit Rana was only an 11th-hour addition.
Between Mukesh and Deshpande, several factors could play a role as the management decides on picking one in the playing XI for the series opener.
We break down the various parameters likely to be considered for selection between the duo and see who fits the bill better to feature in the lineup.
# 1 Recent form and overall T20 record
Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande's selections clearly come from their impressive IPL 2024 showing. Yet, a closer look at who performed better in the IPL could get the nod to start in the playing XI against Zimbabwe.
Playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC), Mukesh picked up 17 wickets at an average of 21.65 and an economy of 10.37 in 10 matches. Meanwhile, Deshpande bagged the same 17 scalps at an average of 24.94 and an economy of 8.83 in 13 outings.
While both pacers bowled predominantly in the powerplay and the death overs, Mukesh was used more in the latter stages of the innings, resulting in a worse economy rate.
Yet, the numbers are almost a push barring Deshpande being the slightly less expensive bowler in the 2024 IPL.
A look at their overall T20 numbers could be the way forward to decide which of the two starts against Zimbabwe. Mukesh has picked up 63 wickets at an average of 29.73 and an economy of almost 9 in 62 T20 games.
On the other hand, Deshpande boasts much better numbers with an average of 21.29 and an economy of 8.53 in 80 matches.
Not only is Deshpande the more experienced T20 bowler, but both his average and economy are considerably better than Mukesh's in the shortest format.
Verdict: Tushar Deshpande
# 2 International experience
Should India base their selection on the hierarchial preference of the more experienced T20I bowler, Mukesh Kumar inarguably warrants a crack ahead of Tushar Deshpande.
Although the latter has more overall T20 and IPL experience, there is something to be said about the former already donning the Indian jersey. Mukesh has played for India in all three formats, including 14 T20Is.
He boasts a mediocre record with an average of 34.33 and an economy of 9.39 in his brief T20I career.
Yet, being first in line and having experience compared to Deshpande, who has never played an international game thus far, must count for something. If the think tank decides to give more weightage to that factor, Mukesh should start ahead of Deshpande in the first Zimbabwe T20I.
Verdict: Mukesh Kumar
# 3 Better fit for what India is trying to achieve in the Zimbabwe T20Is
Without sounding too cocky, it would be safe to assume that on paper, India boasts a much stronger squad than Zimbabwe. The African nation failed to qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup, while India are World Champions.
Yes, the Indian roster for this series is full of fresh faces but that doesn't deprive them of the outright favorites tag to come out on top. With that as the premise, the Men in Blue would be better served to test out as many debutants as possible in different situations and conditions.
Considering Mukesh Kumar has already featured for India in all formats, it may be worthwhile for Tushar Deshpande to play right away in this series. Furthermore, Deshpande bowled with the new ball much more than Mukesh in the recent IPL, which could offer a better balance to India's pace attack should they play Khaleel and Avesh.
The latter has endured his struggles in the powerplay with the new ball, making a Deshpande-Khaleel new-ball pairing a better option than the one with Mukesh.
Verdict: Tushar Deshpande
In conclusion, it is a coin flip between Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande on who should start in the playing XI for the opening T20I against Zimbabwe. While both pacers will likely get a run at some point in the series, Team India might favor Deshpande to start ahead of Mukesh.