In the recently finished T20I series between India and Australia, some big names were missing, but several less-known players stepped up, making a case for their selection in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year.
Let’s spotlight five players who strengthened their chances for a spot in the 2024 tournament.
1. Ravi Bishnoi (India):
Ravi Bishnoi’s outstanding performance in the T20I series between India and Australia has brought him into the spotlight. The 23-year-old right-arm spinner was a standout player and rightfully earned the Player of the Series award.
Bishnoi’s impact was felt as he claimed a total of nine wickets across the five matches, three more than any other player in the series. His ability to take crucial wickets at important moments showcased his skill and composure on the international stage. Notably, his economy rate of 8.20 was the second-best among Indian bowlers, indicating his effectiveness in containing the opposition’s run flow.
As the competition for spin bowling slots in the upcoming T20 World Cup intensifies, with contenders like Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi has presented a strong case for himself. His performances reflect his capability to handle the vital role of a spinner in the T20 format, making him a promising prospect for India’s campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
2. Jason Behrendorff (Australia):
Known for his crucial role in Australia’s pace attack during the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Behrendorff once again showcased his skills in the recent series against India.
The experienced left-arm bowler took six wickets in four matches, with his best performance being in the fourth game where he grabbed 2/32. What stood out the most was Behrendorff’s impressive economy rate – he gave away just 6.68 runs per over, the best among all Australian bowlers in a series where batsmen dominated.
Even with Australia having a strong bowling lineup, Behrendorff’s economical bowling makes him a smart choice for the T20 World Cup next year, showing he can be a valuable asset if selected
3. Rinku Singh (India):
Looking beyond the surface, Rinku Singh’s performance in the series becomes more significant. While his 105 runs in four innings might not immediately stand out, his hard-hitting left-handed style brings a crucial element that could be vital for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
What makes Rinku stand out is his impressive strike rate of 175, the best among all Indian players in the series. His ability to consistently find the boundary at crucial moments made a difference in each of his innings.
The 26-year-old played a match-winning role in the series opener, staying calm and delivering when it mattered most in the final delivery. His quickfire 31* from just nine balls in the next game helped India reach a massive total of 235/4.
Rinku Singh’s boundary-hitting prowess makes him a valuable asset, and the Indian selectors would likely appreciate having his skills available in the T20 World Cup, especially in matches in the USA and West Indies next year
4. Tanveer Sangha (Australia):
Even with just nine international games under his belt, the young Australian spinner is already making a strong case for himself as a promising player for the future.
In all five matches in India, Sangha showcased his talent, taking a total of five wickets. His best performance was in the fourth game, where he grabbed 2/30. Among Australia’s wicket-takers in the series, only two had a better economy rate than Sangha, indicating his ability to make it tough for opposition batsmen.
Although Adam Zampa is the preferred choice for Australia’s spin department, Sangha’s skills make him a logical backup option. With his array of skills, he could pose challenges for batsmen in the USA and West Indies if given the opportunity.
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad (India)
India are well stocked for top-order batting options in the shortest format of the game and Gaikwad continues to show his wares when given the chance at international level.
The right-hander was India’s only century maker during the T20I series as he amassed a superb 123* in the third match of the series and his total of 223 runs was easily the most of any player over all five contests.
Gaikwad also finished inside the top 10 for all run-scorers at last year’s edition of the IPL and could easily partner skipper Rohit Sharma at the top of India’s batting order at next year’s T20 World Cup should selectors opt to go down that path.
Also read:- Highlights, India vs Australia, 5th T20I Full Scorecard: India Beat Australia By 6 Runs, Clinch Series 4-1