The T20 World Cup is just around the corner and the stakes are high, as far as India’s squad is concerned, with multiple players fighting for a single spot in the team. However, the national selection committee is unlikely to select any rookie IPL performer for the showpiece event in the Americas. The likes of Riyan Parag (RR), Mayank Yadav (LSG), Abhishek Sharma (SRH), among others have enjoyed a breakthrough season in the IPL so far. But, as per a report in news agency PTI, the selectors will not put the rookie players to test in a “high-stakes” tournament like the T20 World Cup.
With India set to play two white-ball series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka after the T20 World Cup, the likes of Parag, Mayank and other IPL performers might be considered for selection during the bilaterals.
“The likes of Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Harshit Rana have all performed well but it is understood that the selection committee would like to follow the process of easing them in via bilateral cricket instead of putting them to test in a high-stakes World T20 game,” the report read.
Parag is the second highest run-scorer in the IPL so far, only behind Virat Kohli (361). The RR all-rounder has scored 318 runs in seven matches, averaging over 63.
Similarly, Abhishek has also started the season on a high, striking at over 200 in the powerplay. Mayank, on the other hand, has played just two games, but his raw pace has ignited debates over his selection.
The report also quoted that SRH’s seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is another player the BCCI is keeping a close eye on.
“Nitish Reddy, who is a seam bowling all-rounder and was part of India Emerging side that toured Sri Lanka last year, could also follow the same path,” the report further added.
It will be interesting to see if BCCI makes arrangements for the likes of Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana or Akash Madhwal to be taken as net bowlers, which will also give them good exposure.
(With PTI Inputs)
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