Here are players who can either enter, make a comeback, or even debut in the T20 WC based on IPL 2021 performance.
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 got suspended after the bio-bubble was breached and players were tested postive in many of the franchises.
Over the course of the last two days, two KKR players Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for Covid-19.
CSK`s bowling coach L Balaji, batting coach Mike Hussey and one bus cleaner also tested positive for the virus.
On Tuesday, SRH`s wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi Capitals' Amit Mishra also tested positive for the virus and these cases and the safety of those involved in the league saw the BCCI put an end to the ongoing season of the IPL.
Despite, the bad news of the IPL getting suspended, in the 29 games played so far, many players were able to make a name for themselves.
So here are players who can either enter, make a comeback, or even debut in the T20 WC based on IPL 2021 performance:
1. Prithvi Shaw - Delhi Capitals (DC)
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After a poor performance in the series Down Under against Australia last year, Prithvi Shaw was dropped from the squad. He was even subjected to internet trolling.
However, the young lad redeemed himself and made sure to get back in form with a superb performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Ricky Ponting backed him to open for Delhi and he managed to provide excellent starts to his team. In eight games played so far, Shaw scored 308 runs in 185 balls.
At a strike rate of 166.48, the youngster who was dropped from the nationals squad could get a chance in the Indian T20 World Cup squad later this year.
2. Deepak Chahar - Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
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Deepak Chahar had made it to the Indian squad because of his IPL performance. The presence of Jasprit Bumrah and T Natarajan could make it quite difficult to regularly feature in the playing eleven, but Chahar managed to make an impression whenever he got a chance.
In 55 IPL games, CSK's Chahar picked 53 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.67. Since 2018, he has been a valuable addition to the CSK squad and has picked 52 wickets for them.
This year, he picked 8 wickets in 7 games with the best bowling figure of 4/13. There is a chance that Chahar might make it to the playing XI regularly during the T20 World Cup.
3. Harshal Patel - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
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2021 was a breakthrough year for Harshal Patel. He has been a part of the IPL circuit since 2012, and apart from the 2015 season, he was still unable to make his presence felt.
However, being picked by RCB, Patel was his chosen death bowler for Virat Kohli.
During the first match of the season, Patel took five wickets against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI). After achieving the remarkable landmark, he became the first bowler to pick five wickets against Mumbai.
Later on, wherever Kohli asked him to bowl the middle and death overs and he did deliver, except that one game against CSK where he was hammered for 37 runs by Ravindra Jadeja.
Patel can bowl yorkers at will and his slower balls are also difficult to read. He could be a valuable asset for the team could sharpen India's bowling lineup if he is to debut for the Men in Blue.
4. Rahul Chahar - Mumbai Indians (MI)
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The other Chahar that could make a comeback is Rahul. The premier spinner for Mumbai Indians (MI) since 2019 managed to pick 13 wickets in 13 games he played. That season, Rahul had an impressive economy rate of 6.55.
Rahul has been expensive in the T20Is but, he has played only 3 games and his numbers are destined to improve. Currently, he has been bowling at an economy rate of 9.5 runs per over and his wicket tally is 3 wickets in 3 games so far.
In the 2020 season, he picked 15 wickets in 15 games with an economy rate of 8.16. During the 2021 season, in 7 games, Chahar picked 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.21.
In a T20I squad, the presence of a leg spinner is an asset and Virat Kohli could use Rahul Chahar to pick crucial wickets.
5. Avesh Khan - Delhi Capitals (DC)
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Avesh Khan was a part of a strong India U19 team in 2016 and he along with his teammate Rishabh Pant went on to reach the finals of the tournament. After almost five years, Khan got a chance to redeem himself.
Last year, Avesh was unable to get regular chances to represent the Delhi Capitals as he played only a single game and conceded 42 runs.
But in 2021, Avesh Khan became a popular name as in eight games, he picked 14 wickets. He has had an impressive economy rate of 7.70 and a bowling average of 16.50. He has a great chance to make it to the Indian side during the T20 World Cup.
