What Is The Biggest Problem For Team India Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024? Parthiv Patel Reveals
Published - 07 Dec 2023, 12:47 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:23 AM
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel highlighted India’s historical struggle in determining the right combination for T20 World Cups. Parthiv Patel pointed out the dilemma of selecting the squad midway through the IPL, emphasizing the limited T20I match opportunities.
India will play their upcoming T20I series against South Africa as part of a multi-format tour. Senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the series. India will play only one more T20I series before the start of the IPL 2024 season.
It Is A Tricky Situation – Parthiv Patel
In a conversation with Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel highlighted India’s ongoing challenge in determining the ideal T20 combination, especially given the limited match chances. Patel acknowledged the complexity of the situation in preparation for the T20 World Cup.
“India’s biggest challenge to me has always been finding that right combination, especially in the T20 format. And we don’t have games. Now we are talking about just three Afghanistan games if at all Virat or Rohit or Bumrah play in that. So I think it is something which India will have to take into account,” Parthiv told Cricbuzz.
“Or else, they will have to go with whoever does well in the IPL. But then you will have to announce the team about halfway through the IPL as well. So it is a challenge. I am sure that before announcing the team they must have thought of who is in line for the World Cup and whether we want to get them for the Afghanistan series. It is a tricky situation,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah has participated in only two T20Is in the past year. Rohit and Kohli have been absent from the T20I side since the 2022 T20 World Cup loss. Ravindra Jadeja, who last played T20I in August 2022, returned to the team as the vice-captain for the series.
India Were Tactically Outplayed – Parthiv Patel
Parthiv Patel emphasized that India’s challenge lies in finding the right combination, as talent is abundant. He pointed out that in the recent ICC tournaments, India was strategically outplayed rather than skill deficiencies.
“I think they are looking at more options by going with this young squad. There is no lack of supply of talent in India. A problem of plenty is still a problem and we have to find the right combination. In whatever tournaments they have played, India were not out-skilled. They were tactically outplayed. Whether it was the 2023 final, the 2021 T20 World Cup where India was playing that outdated T20 game, in 2019 there was a problem of No.4.”
“I guess Rahul Dravid would be coach, there is also confusion about that. We don’t know who will be the captain. I think their biggest problem going into this T20 World Cup would be finding the right combination,” Patel further stated.
