The curse of plenitude. That is the problem that faced team selectors as picked the World T20 squad. The 15-man squad that would compete in this year’s World T20 in the Caribbean and the United States. A strong unit, possibly the strongest in world cricket, and it was bound to leave some top-quality players on the sidelines. But the omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad from India’s World Cup T20 squad does raise some eyebrows.
The new captain of Chennai Super Kings and the current (as of May 02, 2024) ‘Orange cap’ holder-which is given to the leading run scorer in the tournament-is surprising but at the same time understandable. We explain why.
Competition for Spots – Only the Best (Suited) will Make it
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India is the richest and the strongest cricketing nation in the world. Say what may about the cricketing prospects of Australia, the most successful team; and England, the country of the game’s origin, in the world of sports, and frankly like anything else in life, money talks. In the case of India, there is a lot of money involved. And that translates into massive investment in the domestic structures and the development of players. The IPL is one such manifestation of the resources that are pouring into the game.
All of this investment will count for nothing if not for the passion and enthusiasm of the fans who number well over a billion. Then there is the quality of the players. With the success of the Indian Premier League, where Indian nationals are allowed to compete alongside and against the best talent in the world, coached by the best minds in the game, and the vast resources of the BCCI, India has everything going for it when it comes to producing world-class players. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the product of this system. Unfortunately for him, despite his talent and consistency, he is not the only one competing for top spots.
Also Read: Disclosing Pakistan’s T20I Excellent Squad for Ireland and England on Thursday
India World T20 Squad – An Opponent’s Nightmare
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Ruturaj Gaikwad has a had solid season with the Chennai Super Kings and his overall performance at the club is stellar by any standards, complete with matching winning performances. However, he is faced with an obstacle that is arguably unique to Indian cricket. A player of his calibre and form would ease his way into virtually any cricket team, barring possibly, Australia.
Adding to the matter is the inclusion of Hardik Pandya in India’s World T20 squad. The star all-rounder has had a mixed season with the failing Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership, Mumbai has hit rock bottom and there has been some debate surrounding his inclusion. But then again, when it comes to cricket having the right player for the right job (or position) is the formula for success. And the leadership at the BCCI feels secure at the top.
Rohit Sharma – As Captain and Opener Removes Gaikwad from the Equation
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Rohit Sharma as captain and opener leading the pack is another matter. The star opener who turned 37 recently, also has had a mixed season, which raises further questions. But then again the exclusion of Shubman Gill from India’s World T20 Squad probably gives the reader an idea of how competitive cricket in the cricket-crazy nation is.
Gaikwad’s national team aspirations will have to wait a bit longer. As there is a lot of competition at the top. A luxury that only a few other teams in world cricket have.
About the Author
Damian Thar writes on a range of topics. In addition to his professional work, he writes essays on subjects like philosophy, history, and culture. He also writes and edits books; in his free time, he makes videos for social commentary. You can find his work here.
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