With the IPL reaching its closing stages, fans are still excited as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is getting closer and closer. Every nation participating has announced its squad, while there are teams that are still making changes considering the injuries or other fitness concerns.
Some players were disappointed after being left out from the squad but performed in the IPL proving their worth, while some were in the squad but failed to justify their selection. Not to forget that the World Cup is also going to be played in the UAE where the current IPL season is being played, and also Oman.
So today, we at Cricwizz present you with an analysis of how the T20 World Cup debutants in the Indian squad have fared in the IPL.
1) KL Rahul
What a time to mention KL Rahul! Rahul is the current holder of the Orange Cap and his performance yesterday against the Chennai Super Kings, one of the favorites of this season proved how lethal a batsman he is.
KL Rahul batting in full flow is a charismatic site! #quality
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 7, 2021
KL Rahul's IPL numbers are as follows.
| Matches | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Highest Score |
| 13 | 626 | 62.60 | 6/0 | 98* |
2) Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan had a decent 1st phase of the 2021 IPL season but since his selection in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, he hasn't performed as everyone would've anticipated. His selection for the World Cup raised many eyebrows and his performances Lately have only made things difficult for him.
Ishan Kishan's fifty in 16 balls today
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 8, 2021
- Fastest for Mumbai Indians in IPL
- Fastest in UAE in IPL
- Joint third fastest in IPL ever#SRHvMI
In fact, he also lost his place in the last games of the second phase to Saurabh Tiwary, something that's not good for a player who has a World Cup to prepare for. Mumbai Indians play their last match today. Will Ishan Kishan feature in the starting 11? Let's have a look at his numbers.
| Matches | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Highest Score |
| 10 | 241 | 26.77 | 2/0 | 84 |
3) Suryakumar Yadav
A player who has been so consistent in the past couple of years, Suryakumar Yadav have experienced a rough patch at the worst possible time I.e just before the T20 World Cup.
His position in the squad may not be under scrutiny as compared to his IPL teammate, but the fact that Suryakumar Yadav hasn't performed in UAE will be a serious concern as India come closer to the World Cup. Will Suryakumar come back stronger in the world cup? Or will the Mumbai star lose his place in the squad post the World Cup?
| Matches | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Highest Score |
| 14 | 317 | 22.64 | 2/0 | 82 |
4) Rishabh Pant
It's quite evident that Rishabh Pant hasn't been in his best form this season. Some say it's the captaincy, while people also feel that the role of an aggressor is the only thing that suits him as a batsman.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that Delhi Capitals led by Rishabh Pant is at the top of the IPL Points Table, losing just three matches out of 13, with one more game left. Will we witness the vintage Pant before the World Cup?
| Matches | Runs | Average | 50s/100s | Highest Score |
| 14 | 362 | 32.90 | 2/0 | 58* |
5) Varun Chakravarthy
A spinner who has been fabulous this season, Varun Chakravarthy is one of the most deserving young prospects to have been selected to feature in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Chakravarthy has a lot in his arsenal, he is unpredictable, and we can expect unprecedented performances from him in the World Cup shortly. However, one thing that has often let him down is his fitness. Even for this World Cup, Varun Chakravarthy's future seemed uncertain until yesterday but as he played the last game against Rajasthan Royals, it will be interesting to see how Chakravarthy does in the World Cup.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best figures |
| 14 | 16 | 22.75 | 6.50 | 3/13 |
6) Rahul Chahar
Another player who was brilliant in the first phase in India but hasn't been near his best in UAE is Rahul Chahar. Rahul Chahar was roped in after Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been India's regular T20 bowler for the last few years, was dropped.
Coincidently, since the selection, it is Chahal who has been exquisite with his bowling duties, while Chahar has failed to make the kind of impact he induced in the first phase in India. Will he be replaced by Rahul Chahar in the upcoming days?
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best figures |
| 11 | 13 | 28.69 | 7.39 | 4/27 |
7) Axar Patel
The boy from Gujarat, Axar Patel was another name that hit a lot of people as people labeled his selection as unwanted. However, Axar Patel has proved everyone wrong, especially in the second phase in the UAE where we have already seen Axar Patel turning games on their heads single-handedly.
A five-wicket haul on Test debut for Axar Patel đź‘Ź
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2021
India are just a wicket away! #INDvENG | https://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/KT7x6Pu32K
Axar Patel's selection also raised questions considering his role being very similar to Ravindra Jadeja's. However, with Hardik Pandya's poor form in UAE, we may see him getting the nod over Pandya, with Jadeja being selected purely on his batting and fielding.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best figures |
| 10 | 15 | 15.14 | 6.06 | 3/21 |
What are your thoughts? Which of these players will be starting for India regularly in the upcoming World Cup? Let us know your thoughts via your social media accounts.
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