Oman is ready to host the T20 World Cup starting October 17th, a date that falls shortly after the 2021 IPL finale. It is a poignant moment for the team, as Virat Kohli will captain India in a T20 tournament for the last time. Having yet to secure an ICC title during his tenure as captain, many fans and critics are rooting for Kohli to end this drought and go out on a high note.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 17th October in Oman. The T20 World Cup will kick off just a couple of days after the 2021 IPL finals. Virat Kohli will be leading the Indian team for the last time in T20 format. India has not won any ICC tournament trophy under Kohli’s Captaincy. “Everyone hopes that Kohli wish must break this geology in his final tournament as Captain of Indian Side.
According to recent reports, the BCCI has called upon a few of the 2021 IPL's most impressive players to remain with the Indian team to assist during training sessions. To bolster the squad's practice, selectors have tapped Harshal Patel (the Purple Cap holder), KKR's Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan of the Delhi Capitals, and the lightning-fast Umran Malik from SRH to stay in the UAE as support staff.
The BCCI has directed these players to merge with the national camp once the IPL play-offs wrap up, ensuring a smooth move from one bio-bubble to the next. These specific pacers will act as net bowlers to challenge the main squad; all three are highly regarded for their pace and ability to vary their deliveries. Notably, Umran Malik made headlines this season by bowling the fastest ball ever recorded in the IPL.
Depending on their performance and the management's assessment, any of these support players could potentially be promoted to the starting eleven. Specifically, Venkatesh Iyer, who offers both opening batting and seam bowling, is being viewed as a viable alternative to Hardik Pandya, who is still struggling to return to full bowling fitness.
The ICC has pushed back the deadline for finalizing squads to October 15th. This flexibility allows teams in the Super-12 stage to adjust their rosters up to a week before their scheduled matches, giving the Indian management the opportunity to make tactical changes if needed.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya's fitness, the team might look to include either Deepak Chahar or Shardul Thakur. India is set to kick off its World Cup journey with a high-stakes clash against their longtime rivals, Pakistan, on October 24th.