Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2020 will be immensely crucial not only for Indian players but also for overseas cricketers who view the 13th edition as a platform to stake a claim in the T20I squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia. A good show in the IPL, a league which is the next most competitive multi-team tournament after a World Cup, is rated highly.
It would also be an opportunity for a few Indian players to impress the selectors before they sit to pick the squad for the mega-tournament in Australia 2020. Here, we take a look at 3 Indian players who can stage a comeback in the T20I team based upon their performance in IPL 2020:
1. MS Dhoni:
Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni’s future has unfolded as an enigma for the well-wishers of the Indian cricket. Dhoni, who last played for India in their World Cup Semi-Final exit in 2019, is expected to feature in IPL 2020. He will be seen leading his franchise in Chennai Super Kings. A few days back, Dhoni was even spotted training in Ranchi with the state team.
While he might take a call upon his career post-IPL 2020, his performances this season might even open doors for a comeback in the Indian T20I side. If the Chennai skipper feels fit and ready for the World Cup in Australia, he will definitely give a run for his money to young wicket-keeper in Rishabh Pant in the squad.
2. Dinesh Karthik:
This name might surprise a few but Dinesh Karthik might feel undone after he was left out of the squad post the World Cup 2019. Karthik, who has been one of India’s go-to man in the T20Is as a probable finisher, was shown the way out from the T20I squad after the CWC disappointment.
While most feel it was harsh on the wicket-keeper batsman, Karthik would still want to give it another shot for a place in the T20 World Cup squad for India. His IPL 2020 performance will govern his future with the Indian team as far as the T20Is are concerned. Karthik, who will captain KKR this season, will want to bat higher up the order and lead his team from the front. It would be apt for him if he has to stay in the reckoning for the T20 World Cup this year.
3. Deepak Chahar:
Indian seamer Deepak Chahar might eye a return to the T20I squad with his performances in IPL 2020. Deepak, who is a formidable part of Chennai’s line-up in the IPL, will get a host of opportunity to prove his fitness and form with the ball. Chahar, who played a majority of matches for India in the home season was ruled ut post the ODI series against West Indies. He faced a back issue and couldn’t continue full stretch in the Indian home season.
IPL 2020 will provide him another chance to break into India’s T20I squad and possibly retain his spot as the third seamer in the team. It would be a tough job in hand for the Rajasthan-lad to come back from an injury and go full throttle in IPL for his franchise. CSK would hope that Deepak returns with the same flair and can deliver for the franchise just like his exploits in the past two seasons.
