WHOIS GOING TO BE INDIA’S DESIGNATED FINISHER IN WC?

One of the big loopholes in the squad of 15, as it stands, is the lack of a finisher; also a top-heavy line-up could prevent them from targetting a specific match-up

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The home team sent out Shivam Dube, their designated spin-hitter, at No. 3. Usually, they promote Ravindra Jadeja, but here, on a red soil pitch, they knew spinners would do well and wanted Dube to make an impact. While the left-hander might have gotten out for a first-ball duck, the significant point to note here is that CSK had the option and the luxury of using it as an entry point for Dube.

Come the T20 World Cup next month, what will the Indian team do in such a situation? As the BCCI announced their 15member squad on Tuesday, it is a question that remains. Yes, Dube has made the squad, but he might not necessarily start.

Unless they opt to play both Axar Patel and Jadeja, India are likely to have the latter at No. 7 followed by their four bowlers. And it unfortunately leaves them where they were a year ago. Rishabh Pant at No. 5, Hardik Pandya at 6 and then comes Jadeja who has batted only twice in T20Is since last the WC.