While they remain among the favourites for glory at the 2022 T20 World Cup, the depth of India’s squad has suddenly come under the spotlight. After another exhausting IPL, the national selectors took the decision to rest many of their first choice players ahead of a five-match series with South Africa.
The most notable absentees include Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while KL Rahul was subsequently forced to withdraw due to injury. It was a chance to give the fringe batters and bowlers a chance to stake their claims and beacome a part of the squad heading to Australia.
Unfortunately, few have taken that chance with South Africa surging into an early 2-0 lead and the manner of those losses are worrying.
Early Reverses
India may still have the opportunity to turn that series around, but the concerns are already there. In the first game in Delhi, the home side posted a solid target of 211 but the bowlers failed to defend, and the South Africans chased it down with five balls to spare.
Cuttack was the venue for the second match of the series and the manner of defeat offers more cause for concern. India made just 148/6 from their 20 overs and their opponents won with ten balls remaining.
The losses do need to be put into context: The home side are missing several of their first choice players while South Africa are close to full strength. The issue is that, if India are hit with injuries and loss of form, there is a lack of adequate cover.
It’s a problem for the selectors to consider but where does this leave Rohit Sharma and his men as the 2022 World Cup approaches?
India’s Chances Assessed
As far as the sportsbooks are concerned, there is nothing for India to worry about. Along with Australia and England, they are one of three joint favourites to win the T20 World Cup this year. The best sports betting sites in India are keeping the faith but that trend is being reflected all over the world.
Odds in this instance are supplied by Asiabet who will monitor the markets in the months that lie ahead. As T20 internationals are completed, there is potential for change and any new figures will appear on the website.
News and opinion articles are published while Asiabet also provide reviews for each of the sportsbooks referenced. Having assessed that information, there is a direct path to those cricket betting markets.
Every sports betting site mentioned here is ready to accept new customers subject to eligibility requirements and a completed registration form. Once that process has been completed, many of those operators have a generous welcome package waiting on the other side.
A varied set of payment methods can get the account moving while customer services can step in if there are any queries. Once playing as a regular customer, other advantages can include ongoing offers, a wide choice of other sporting markets and the potential for live streaming.
It’s the site to follow the World Cup from a betting point of view but will India’s performances in South Africa affect their chances of claiming the trophy?
Verdict for 2022
The neutral view is that India will remain strong and that’s likely to be true. Their best players are waiting to come back into the team and we can expect Rohit’s men to be at full strength in Australia.
Along with the skipper himself, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul should combine to make a solid top three. While Ishan Kishan can be a threat to opposition bowlers, Shikhar Dhawan has the experience and greater consistency.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah is the most notable absentee from the pace attack. His return will doubtless strengthen the team while the spin unit should also look to welcome back Ravindra Jadeja.
India want to win every game but the scheduling issues that are thrown up by the IPL have played their part. The T20 series against South Africa offered the perfect opportunity for those fringe squad players to stake a claim but, instead, it’s left the selectors with some serious concerns ahead of this year’s major tournament.