IPL 2022: 5 Indian Players Who Might Be Evicted From Team India Due To A Poor Outing In The Tournament

Team India think tank will ruminate the options for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia later in the October-November period.

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and the national selectors will surely have their eyes on the ongoing IPL 2022 to chalk out their roadmap for the next six months.

After India’s T20 World Cup exit in the group stage in UAE, the resilience under Rohit Sharma has been well with a whitewash against New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka on home soil.

However, India must not be complacent and prepare for their tough opponents like South Africa and England. India will play South Africa in the five-match T20I series in June.

Post-South Africa series, India will be visiting the United Kingdom (UK) to play a couple of T20I matches against Ireland followed by the multi-format series against England, which includes three T20 International fixtures.

The Indian team will want their best players on the flight to Australia. So they will explore as many options as they can before the showpiece event. The squad for the South Africa T20I series is expected to be announced during the IPL 2022 playoffs, which start on May 24.

If the Indian selectors emphasize the IPL 2022 performance, then some of the players who were on the radar for the mega event could lose their spot in the Indian team.

IPL 2022: 5 Indian Players Who Might Be Evicted From Team India Due To A Poor Outing In The Tournament

1. Ishan Kishan

The Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter started the tournament with a blistering unbeaten 81 against Delhi Capitals and followed with 43-ball 54 vs Rajasthan Royals in the second match.

However, Ishan’s form has dipped as the tournament progressed, he managed just 50 runs in the last five innings.

Ishan also had some slow innings in the T20I series against West Indies in February, where he amassed 71 runs in three innings at an average of 23.67.

With Rajasthan Royals Sanju Samson presenting his case with 244 runs in nine innings, striking at 168.28, Ishan could lose his spot as the second-choice wicketkeeper in the Indian team.

Also Read: RR vs MI: Mumbai Indians Should Move Ishan Kishan Down The Batting Order – Daniel Vettori

2. Venkatesh Iyer

The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder was the revelation of IPL 2022 with 370 runs in 10 matches for KKR. The lanky player not only helped KKR to secure a spot in the final of last season but also pushed his selection in the Indian team for white-ball formats.

Iyer played nine T20 International games for India since making his debut against New Zealand last year in Jaipur. With his versatility to bat in any given position, many experts touted him as Hardik Pandya’s replacement for the T20 World Cup this year.

But coming to IPL 2022, Iyer has just managed 132 runs in nine innings after constantly being shuffled in the batting order. He scored 50 against Mumbai Indians while stabilizing the innings at one end to allow Pat Cummins to play freely.

Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik’s impressive form could become difficult for Iyer to retain his position in the Indian team.

Also Read: IPL 2022: “I Think You Can’t Really Use That Against Him” – Chris Lynn On Venkatesh Iyer’s Lack Of Bowling

3. Shardul Thakur

The Delhi Capitals all-rounder hasn’t performed up to his potential in the tournament. He picked seven wickets from nine games at an economy rate of 9.87.

In the recent match against Lucknow Super Giants, Shardul registered his best figures 3/40 this season with the ball.

Shardul has been decent with the bat, scoring 88 in six innings and a strike rate of 154.39.

Shardul was initially named as a reserved player in India’s T20 World Cup squad last year but later replaced Axar Patel in the main squad.

Shardul was rested for the Sri Lanka T20I series along with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. With the Indian team having plenty of options for pace bowlers, Shardul’s place in the Indian team seems uncertain unless he comes up with some promising act.

Also Read: DC vs KKR: “Can Send Shardul Thakur Up The Order” – Virender Sehwag’s Suggestion For DC

4. Ruturaj Gaikwad

The Orange Cap holder of IPL 2021 couldn’t replicate his performance this season.

It was Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis’ lethal combination that helped CSK clinch their fourth title last season.

One of them is captaining RCB now and the other is struggling to find the momentum. In eight innings, Gaikwad has amassed 138 runs at 17.25. His only solace has been 48-ball 73 against Gujarat Titans

Ruturaj played in the final T20I match against West Indies, where he could just score four runs. A wrist injury ruled him out of the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Ruturaj had to perform in IPL 2022 to come under the radar of selectors. However, there are still six more matches for the Maharashtra batter to bounce back.

5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar is leading the formidable SRH bowling attack in the IPL 2022. The senior SRH bowler picked nine wickets from eight games at an economy rate of 7.52.

Bhuvneshwar was part of India’s T20 World Cup squad in UAE last year. He was benched after the first game against Pakistan.

However, Bhuvneshwar continued to play for India in the bilateral T20I series against New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.

His form in IPL 2022 isn’t bad that would ax him from the Indian team.

Considering the emerging players like his own SRH teammates Umran Malik and T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar could be sidelined as India already have Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in their squad.