With T20 World Cup around the corner, the recently concluded bilateral series between India and Australia has fostered the prospects of several young players regarding their inclusion in the World Cup squad. Both teams played in the absence of key players with the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, David Warner, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc, who held the biggest impact in the game. The absence of key players served as an audition platform for young guns seeking their positions in upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the West Indies and the USA.
Here’s the list of players who can represent their respective teams for the ICC’s top event in the shortest format of international cricket:
1.) Ravi Bishnoi (India)
The sensational young right-arm spinner impressed everyone with his impeccable performance with the ball. He scalped 9 wickets averaging just over 18 in his five outings against the Aussies.
The 23-year-old was the go-through bowler of skipper Suryakumar Yadav after pacers received beating from Travis Head in the initial overs of the powerplay. He received the ‘Players of the Series’ award for his brilliant performances throughout the series. He has to battle the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yajuvendra Chahal to cement his place in the World Cup contingent.
2.) Jason Behrendorff (Australia)
The skilled Australian speedster has struggled to cement his position in the T20 squad ever since his international debut in 2017. The ginat slayer trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazelwood are the regular pacers of Australia who are best at their jobs. But in the bilateral T20 between India and Australia, Behrendorff has again put up his name for the selection with his impressive performance.
The 33-year-old pacer has claimed six wickets by averaging just over 17 in four matches. With an economy rate of just 6.68, Behrendorff economy rate was best among the Aussie bowlers. He was exceptional with the ball and restricted the run flow in the powerplay and death overs as well.
3.) Ruturaj Gaikwad (India)
One of the most versatile players in modern-day cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad, never failed to impress when selected for the playing XI.
The 26-year-old has hammered 223 runs with an incredible 123* runs in the third encounter of the 5-match T20 series. He was the top-run getter of the series as well.
Meanwhile, with uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s participation in T20 World Cup 2024, BCCI will definitely consider Gaikwad to fill Rohit’s boot in top order.
4.) Tanveer Sangha (Australia)
The right-arm leg-break has made only seven appearances for Australia in T20 internationals, but he has impressed everyone with his skillful bowling.
The 22-year-old featured in all five matches of the series and claimed five wickets against India, which is known to play spin well.
Apart from the regular spin option, Adam Zampa, the most sensible spin option is Sangha. The Australian team management will definitely prefer to carry him as a backup spinner, if not a regular.
5.) Rinku Singh (India)
The young sensation has proven his mettle by hitting monster sixers in the bilateral series against Australia. With shades of Yuvraj Singh, the 26-year-old batter has the ability to hammer quick runs at lower order.
The left-handed batter has the reputation to snatch wins from tricky situations. Though he scored just 105 in four innings, but run came with a remarkable strike rate of over 175.
Rinku Singh inclusion in the squad can prove handy as India lacks lefties in the middle-order batting lineup. As India is eyeing to serarch finishers, Rinku could be the one to put a full stop to this search.
