If Prithvi Shaw Plays Well In Sri Lanka And In IPL, He Can Make A Case To Be Included In India's T20 World Cup Squad - Mohammad Kaif

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif feels that despite stiff competition at the top-order, young opener Prithvi Shaw can make a case for inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad if he performs well in the coming months.

Shaw has been in a belligerent form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy – 827 runs at an average of 165.40 – and then in the first half of the IPL 2021 – 308 runs in 8 matches while striking at 166.49 – after being dropped from the Test side. Now, Shaw will come up against the Sri Lankan bowlers in the ODI and T20I series this month, followed by the second half of the IPL.

Mohammad Kaif, the Delhi Capitals assistant coach, reckons if the 21-year-old continues his run-scoring spree, he could make a case for the World Cup’s squad. His competitors for partnering with Rohit Sharma at the top include KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan, and skipper Virat Kohli himself who opened in India’s last T20I.

“Prithvi Shaw showed good form in the IPL, every big player has a test, when you have that form, the challenge is to make full use of that form. Shaw had a good domestic season and IPL, if he plays well in Sri Lanka and the remaining matches of the IPL, then he can make a case for himself to be included in the T20 World Cup squad.

“There is competition, Prithvi needs to play big knocks. I have no doubt that Shaw has the ability to play well and if he plays well, then he makes sure that his team ends on the right side of the result. Prithvi Shaw plays impactful knocks, we have to see how he plays in Sri Lanka,” Mohammad Kaif told ANI. 

Kuldeep and Chahal should play all the matches: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif also feels that the leg-spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal should play again in the same eleven together. The pair, often known as ‘Kul-Cha’, hasn’t played together in an ODI since the 2019 World Cup game against England as both have struggled for form and consistency.

“Kuldeep and Chahal should play all the matches, but you also need to look at the balance of the side. Coach and captain need to have the right balance, if you play three pacers and Kuldeep-Chahal, then there is an absence of an all-rounder. Yes, if you play six batters, then Kuldeep and Chahal should play all the matches,” the former batsman opined.

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