India's predicted playing XI for 20-20 World Cup 2022

India is all geared up for the upcoming 20-20 World Cup in Australia next month. After a disappointing showing at the Asia Cup, the Men in Blues would look to answer rising questions about their performance at the World Cups after 2011.

Based on their past performances and form let's look at how India would look on the ground and predict a probable XI for the World Cup.

Top-Order: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli

India would look to keep the same order of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli as the trio has done well in the past. Rohit Sharma recently hit 46 off of 20 deliveries to take India to a win against Australia in the second T20I. In the process, he has also scored the most number of sixes in T20Is.

KL Rahul is yet to get to full form after coming back from injury but a batter of his class would certainly make the playing XI. If he can emulate his sensational average of 48 from the Indian T20 league for the national side, it would be a massive positive for the team. Virat Kohli clinched his 71st century after 1021 days at the Asia Cup and has looked in good touch since then and would make the playing XI.

Middle-Order and wicketkeeper: Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik

Suryakumar Yadav will keep his place despite going out on duck in the second match as he is the highest ranked India batter on the Men’s T20I rankings. A strike rate of 173.48 speaks volumes about his capability.

Dinesh Karthik hit a six and a four in consecutive balls to take India home after playing bits and parts in the Asia Cup. His absence was mightily felt while chasing targets against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four of the Asia Cup. The 37-year-old has been kept in the team for the Australia series and would also find a place in the World Cup. He will also keep the wicket.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel

Hardik Pandya hit 71 in just 30 deliveries in the first match of the Australia T20I series and was instrumental in taking India past the 200 mark. He also played a match-winning knock of 33 in 17 and also took three wickets against Pakistan in Asia Cup. The player have become a mainstay in the team and would be a huge certainty for the playing XI.

Axar Patel, after being given a pass in the Asia Cup reminded all of his talents in the Australia series. In two matches, he took five wickets and led the bowling charts. He will also make it into the team. Harshal Patel’s performance was shocking in two matches against Australia. In the two matches, he gave runs at an economy of 12.2 and 16. The bowling all-rounder however has a great track record when it comes to 20-20 matches and would be shown faith at the world cup. He can also come down as a batter.

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal

India bowling would be led by Jasprit Bumrah whose absence was felt the most in the Asia Cup. The right-arm bowler makes the Indian bowling lineup come alive. An economy of 6.51 in T20Is is almost unheard of in modern cricket. His toe-crushing yorkers would be India’s main weapon in the arsenal.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has struggled with his death over bowling recently but despite all that emerged as the top wicket-taker at Asia Cup 2022 with 11 wickets. With Bumrah in the side, he could get respite from bowling at the death and be his former shelf. Yuzvendra Chahal has also lost his form recently and does not get much criticism as his poor form gets overshadowed by another bowler’s poorer form. But the team would hope that he gets his mojo back.

India’s predicted playing XI for 20-20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal