When the Indian team travels to Australia to play in the T-20 World Cup, there will be a lot of controversy over who will be the third fastest bowler in the team selection. While Hardik Pandya is fit and bowling at full speed in the IPL, his place is firmly established but apart from that, the names of T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hershal Patel, Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan are also under discussion along with the famous Krishna. , Umran Malik or Shardul Thakur must also be kept in mind.
The performance of fast bowlers in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has been impressive so far. From taking wickets in power-play to saving runs, fast bowlers are doing an impressive job. Mohammad Shami has bowled well in the opening overs, T Natarajan in the middle overs and Hershal Patel in the death overs. The T20 World Cup is set to take place in Australia this year and the Indian selectors will also be eyeing the IPL. After this league, selectors can select the same players they want to see playing in the T20 World Cup in the next few series. Jaspreet Bumrah and Mohammad Shamin are considered to have a place in the team. In this situation, the question arises as to who will be the third fastest bowler of Team India in T20 World Cup. There is currently a neck-and-neck competition between an all-rounder and eight pacers for the space. Even if Shamin doesn’t get a chance, one of the nine fast bowlers will be included in the playing XI.
The team management may decide to field five batsmen, two all-rounders and five bowlers. Otherwise the team will field with six batsmen, two all-rounders and three specialist bowlers. In the last T20 World Cup, Team India entered the field with a strategy of six batsmen. At that time, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant were the five batsmen. While Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were the two all-rounders. However, Pandya did not bowl and came on as a batsman. But now he is fit and back in the IPL and is bowling well. Hardik is also constantly touching the speed of 140 plus. In such a situation, his claim for the World Cup has become stronger. Here we find out about the nine fast bowlers who are racing for the World Cup.
Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, famous Krishna
Umran Malik has shocked big giants with his speed. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the bowler has bowled lethally so far and has consistently bowled at a speed of 150-plus. After proving costly in the opening few matches, Umra made a comeback and took four wickets against Punjab.
Hyderabad bowling coach Dale Steyn is working hard on it and Umran could be Team India’s star bowler in the near future. No wonder selectors include him in Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. His speed in Australia could come in handy for the Indian team. While Shardul has not been seen in any special form in the IPL this season. He has done well with the bat, but in bowling he has done nothing special. In that case, it remains to be seen whether the selectors will include him in the squad. The selectors can also send the famous Krishna to Australia as a backup.
Hershal Patel
After the T20 World Cup, the most impressive fast bowler is Hershal Patel. Herschel was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021. However, he did not get a chance in the T20 World Cup last year. Herschel had the opportunity to make his T20I series debut against New Zealand in November last year and has since taken 11 wickets for India in eight T20 internationals. Even the biggest batsmen have failed to read Herschel’s slow ball. Herschel bowls brilliantly in death overs and this is the reason why he can get a chance in Australia. After the IPL, India will have to play a few more T20 matches and that will be Herschel’s real test.
T Natarajan
T Natarajan is a left-arm fast bowler who has an important weapon, an accurate yorker. He has impressed everyone in this year’s IPL. Since India’s tour of Australia in 2020, Natarajan has been sidelined from international cricket due to a series of injuries and has not been able to play much in the IPL. However, Natarajan made a comeback in IPL 2022 and the bowler, known as the Yorker Specialist, disturbed the big batsmen with his bowling. In IPL 2022, Natarajan made excellent use of yorker and pace variations. That could be an important part of Team India’s Mission T20 World Cup. If Shami does not play, Natarajan can be included in the playing-11 instead. Whether it is a powerplay or a death over, Natarajan is an expert in bowling anywhere. He has taken 12 wickets in six matches so far in this IPL and is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was in poor form in the T20 World Cup last year. Team India lost to Pakistan and New Zealand. Although the Indian captain changed after the T20 World Cup, the new captain Rohit Sharma maintained his faith in Bhubaneswar. In the last three years, Bhubaneswar is the third highest wicket-taker for India in T20 Internationals. This was the reason why Rohit also expressed confidence in him. Bhuvneshwar has taken 22 wickets in 22 matches in the last three years. Bhubaneswar has played seven matches since the 2021 T20 World Cup and is eight wickets quick. He is the second highest wicket-taker during this period. Although Bhubaneswar is not in special form in IPL 2022, his experience can come in handy at any time. The team management can give him a chance by thinking the same. However, for the role of third fast bowler he will find stiff competition from some other bowlers.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik has been away from cricket since the T20 World Cup ended last year. He spent a lot of time at the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore to get fit. During this time he did not participate in domestic cricket or international cricket. After this Gujarat Titans appointed him as captain in IPL and currently Hardik was bowling in IPL 2022 and has taken four wickets in five matches so far. He has been bowling in both Powerplay and Death Over (16-20). His economy rate is also excellent. Hardik could use this experience in the T20 World Cup. Old Hardik Pandya has also been seen in the batting. He is batting third-fourth for the Gujarat Titans and fifth in the Orange Cap race. Hardik has scored 228 runs in five matches at an average of 76.00 and a strike rate of 136.52. He did not bowl in the last World Cup and was lacking for Team India. He can accompany Bumrah and Shamino well in this World Cup.
Deepak Chahar
The performance of Chennai Super Kings has been poor this season. The biggest reason is the absence of Deepak Chahar. Chahar was included in the mega auction by Chennai for Rs 14 crore. The reason for placing such a high bid on him was that he has emerged as Team India’s best powerplay bowler in the last few years. He is also adept at hitting big shots in the lower order. Deepak has been involved with Team India for some time now, but has not had a chance to play much. Chahre has played six matches in this format since last year’s T20 World Cup and is six wickets quick. He has been India’s highest wicket-taker in the T20 Internationals for the last three years. He has taken 25 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 21.44. Its economy, meanwhile, has been 8.12. In Australia, fast bowlers also get swings with bounces. In such a situation, Deepak Chahar can prove fatal. He can make a cool trio with Shami, Bumrah. However, Chahar is currently injured and will take four months to fully recover.
Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan continues to shine this season after IPL 2021. The fast bowler was the second highest wicket-taker last season. He has also taken 11 wickets in seven matches this year. Most importantly, Avesh bowled well in the death overs and spent very few runs. This young bowler is bowling like an experienced bowler against batsmen like Dinesh Karthik, Faf du Plessis, Hardik Pandya. He will definitely be involved in Team India’s chances for the T20 World Cup. Now it remains to be seen whether he will join Team India.