3 Indian cricketers who have an outside chance of making it to the T20 World Cup 2022 squad
After failing to reach the final of the 2022 Asia Cup, Team India will now have to plan for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The Men in Blue lost narrowly to Pakistan and Sri Lanka and were knocked out of the Super 4 stage of the continental tournament.
India's pace department comprised Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan, with Hardik Pandya being the fast bowling all-rounder.
The team lacked experience in the pace department, and the think tank will have to sort out the issue before the T20 World Cup 2022. The management could also look to bring in a youngster in the middle order capable of playing the role of a finisher.
On that note, here is a look at three cricketers who have an outside chance of making it to the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2022:
#1 Umran Malik
Team India missed a bowler who could consistently bowl above 140 kmph in the Asia Cup 2022. Umran Malik is one such bowler who can generate high pace on any wicket and could be Team India's wild card in the T20 World Cup 2022.
Malik has played a handful of T20Is to date and is yet to be given a consistent run in the Indian side. In three T20Is, he has picked up two wickets at an average of 56.
However, the pacer defended 17 runs in the final over of the second T20I against Ireland, helping India win the contest by four runs.
Although Malik is inexperienced at international level, he has shown his worth with the ball in the IPL. In the 2022 season, he picked up 22 wickets at an impressive average of 22.50.
Malik could unsettle batters with his raw pace and could be India's surprise package at the T20 World Cup 2022 Down Under, especially as the hard Australian pitches could suit him.
#2 Mohammed Shami
Team India missed an experienced pacer to partner Bhuvneshwar in the Asia Cup. They also didn't have anyone to mentor the younger seamers in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Surprisingly, Mohammed Shami has not been in India's scheme of things in the shortest format post the T20 World Cup 2021, where he picked up six wickets at an average of 23.33.
Bigggg Biggggg mistake done by INDIA that thay doesn't pick Mohammed shami in the squad.
💔💔💔💔
We missed You so much @MdShami11 https://t.co/kIK52rR9OV
Shami's experience could come in handy for Team India in Australia. If the likes of Bumrah and Harshal Patel fail to recover in time, Shami could be considered for the marquee ICC tournament.
He can bowl at good pace and, though not as good as Bumrah, can do a decent job in death overs also, making him a serious contender for the Indian T20 World Cup squad.
#3 Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been impressive for Team India in T20Is this year, with the keeper-batter scoring 179 runs in five innings at an average of 44.75 and an impressive strike rate of 158.41.
🇮🇳💙 https://t.co/f0OGvN5kIu
Samson has batted at different positions for India in the shortest format, from opening the innings to slotting in a No. 7. With Deepak Hooda failing to impress in the Asia Cup, Samson could be considered for the T20 World Cup 2022.
Samson is an experienced campaigner as far as T20s are concerned and boasts an IPL strike rate of 135.72 after 134 innings. He has played some dazzling knocks in the cash-rich league and has the talent to replicate the same at the international level.