Although the recently concluded Twenty20 International series between Australia and India was devoid of star power due to the absence of several first-choice players on both sides, several underdogs made strong efforts to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup the following year.
Five athletes whose performances enhanced their prospects of representing their nation at the 2024 Olympic showcase are examined.
1. Ravi Bishnoi (India)
The youthful right-armer continued to excel at the international level and justifiably was named Player of the Series after being the undisputed leader for India over the course of five matches.
Bishnoi amassed nine wickets in the five matches, three more than any other participant, and his economy rate of 8.20 was the second highest among all India bowlers.
Although Bishnoi will likely compete with Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravi Ashwin for a few slow bowling positions at the Twenty20 World Cup the following year, the 23-year-old has already demonstrated that he is more than capable of holding down the crucial role.
2. Jason Behrendorff (Australia)
Behrendorff, an integral member of Australia’s pace attack at the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, once again distinguished himself in India with an outstanding performance.
The seasoned left-armer amassed six wickets in four appearances throughout the series, with his most effective performance occurring in the fourth match when he took 2/32.
However, the most noteworthy contribution Behrendorff made for his team was his stingy economy rate. In a series dominated by the batsmen, the 33-year-old conceded only 6.68 runs per over, which was comfortably the best among all Australian bowlers.
Although Australia possesses a formidable bowling attack in terms of depth, Behrendorff could be a shrewd choice for the T20 World Cup the following year should selectors opt to proceed in that direction.
3. Rinku Singh (India)
Upon initial examination, Rinku’s 105 runs off four hits during the series may not seem particularly remarkable. However, upon closer inspection, the left-handed hard-hitter’s performance reveals a crucial element that could prove indispensable for India in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Rinku was the only player from India to amass a strike rate of 175 while batting, and his endeavors to end each innings by reaching the boundary stood out in particular.
The match-winning delivery of the final delivery of the series came from the 26-year-old, who maintained his composure and scored 31 runs off nine deliveries in the second match of the series, propelling India to an enormous total of 235/4.
Next year, India selectors would undoubtedly be thrilled to have access to Rinku’s boundary-hitting exploits in the United States and the West Indies.
4. Tanveer Sangha (Australia)
Despite having made only nine international appearances thus far, the youthful Australian spinner has amassed an impressive resume that establishes him as a future prospect.
Sangha participated in all five matches played in India, accumulating a total of five wickets, his highest being 2/30 in the fourth match of the series.
During the series, only two of Australia’s wicket-takers bowled with a higher economy rate, and Sangha possesses sufficient arsenal to challenge opposition batsmen in the West Indies and the United States, should he be selected.
Although Sangha is possibly subordinate to Adam Zampa as the preferred spinner for Australia, he appears to be the more rational candidate to accompany Zampa on his backup spinner trip.
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad (India)
In the shortest format of the sport, India is replete with top-order batting options, and Gaikwad continues to impress when given the opportunity to represent India at the international level.
During the Twenty20 International series, the right-handed batsman accumulated a magnificent 123* in the third match, which was India’s only century. With a total of 223 runs, he easily surpassed any other player across all five contests.
Gaikwad also finished in the top ten for all runs scored in the IPL last year and, should selectors choose to go that route, could comfortably partner captain Rohit Sharma at the top of India’s batting order at the T20 World Cup in 2020.
