Aakash Chopra Picks Indian Squad For T20 World Cup Based On Performance In IPL 2022

Aakash Chopra has left out notable names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli & Rishabh Pant out of his T20 World Cup squad for Team India

IPL 2022 concluded with the new franchise, Gujarat Titans lifting their maiden trophy after defeating inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals in the finals. With 3 and a half months to go for the T20 World Cup 2022, all teams have their focus on T20s more than any other format and the Indian team may have some clarity regarding the players & combinations based on the players' performance in the IPL.

India is set to play T20Is against South Africa, England & Ireland in their preparation to the World Cup to be held down under. Former cricketer and currently a popular broadcaster & commentator, Aakash Chopra has listed the players in his opinion should be a part of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup which is to be held later this year. 

Aakash Chopra's Indian Squad for T20 World Cup (based on IPL 2022 performance):

KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, Arsdheep Singh, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah

Lucknow Super Giants captain & opener KL Rahul scored 616 runs in 15 innings in IPL 2022, averaging 51.33 at a strike rate of 135.38 with 4 fifties and 2 centuries to his name. The batter was, however, dismissed thrice for a duck in the tournament.

Consequently, LSG managed to finish 3rd on the points table but were defeated in the Eliminator by Royal Challengers Bangalore. 
Mumbai Indians opener Ishan Kishan, who was sold for a hefty price of 15.25 crores INR at the IPL 2022 mega auction, scored 418 runs in 14 innings, averaging 32.15 at a strike rate of 120.11. The youngster managed 3 fifties with a top score of 81*. 

Rahul Tripathi was arguably the best #3 batter in the IPL 2022 across all franchises. The batter scored 413 runs in 14 innings while striking at an impeccable rate of 158.23 while averaging 37.54. Tripathi registered 3 fifties to his name in the tournament. 

Even though Mumbai Indians' retained player Suryakumar Yadav missed almost half of the tournament due to an injury, the batter scored 303 runs in 8 matches, averaging 43.28 while striking at 145.67 with 3 fifties to his name. 

IPL 2022-winning captain Hardik Pandya has been named as the captain of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup by Aakash Chopra. Pandya took the captain's responsibility as he batted at #3 and #4 throughout the tournament, scoring 487 runs in 15 innings averaging 44.27 at a strike rate of 131.26 with 4 fifties. The all-rounder also bowled 30.3 overs in the tournament and picked up 8 wickets at an economy of 7.27. 

Dinesh Karthik was the finisher supreme for Royal Challengers Bangalore and went on to win the Super Striker of the Season award for IPL 2022. In 16 innings, the 37-year old scored 330 runs at an astounding strike rate of 183.33 while averaging 55.00 with a top score of 66*.

 

Krunal Pandya was one of the contributing factors to LSG's success in their debut season. The all-rounder scored 183 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 126.20, while picking up 10 wickets in 12 innings at an economy of 6.97. 

The Purple Cap holder Yuzvendra Chahal was the highest wicket-taker of the season, picking up 27 wickets in 17 matches with an economy of 7.75. The leg spinner also registered a 5-fer and a hattrick in the season.

Mohammad Shami was a lethal force to be reckoned with in the powerplay as he emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the Powerplays in IPL 2022, contributing majorly to his team, Gujarat Titans' winning cause. 

LSG pacer Avesh Khan picked up 18 wickets in 13 matches while Punjab Kings' Arshdeep Singh had an economy of 7.70 with 10 wickets to his name and a fantastic economy of 7.58 in the death overs. 

Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson played impactful knocks with the bat, scoring 458 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 146.79 with 2 fifties to his name. While Lucknow's Deepak Hooda had his best IPL season ever as he scored 451 runs in 14 innings, averaging 32.21 at a strike rate of 136.66 with 4 fifties to his name. 

Kuldeep Yadav redeemed himself in IPL 2022 as he picked up 21 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 14.1. IPL 2021 Purple Cap winner Harshal Patel was also an important part of Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking up 19 wickets in 15 innings at an economy of 7.66. 

Even though Mumbai Indians finished last in IPL 2022, Jasprit Bumrah was his lethal self as he picked up 15 wickets in 14 innings at an economy of 7.18. 

Aakash Chopra's Indian Squad for T20 World Cup (based on IPL 2022 performance):

KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, Arsdheep Singh, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah