Bangladesh Cricket Board is all ready to host the much-anticipated T20I series of two matches between the Asia XI and World XI. The two T20I matches have been scheduled to be played in the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur Bangladesh on March 18 and March 21, 2020, respectively.
The last time these two teams i.e Asia XI and World XI met was at Melbourne Cricket Ground Australia on 10 January 2005. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 had affected several nations and affiliate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. World Cricket Tsunami Appeal was an initiative by the ICC to raise funds and support the humanitarian efforts through an ODI match between Asia XI and World XI.
The second time Asia XI and World XI have come forward to celebrate the centenary of ‘Bongobondhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Bengali nation. Even though the matches have been granted official T20I stature by the ICC, the current tensions between the two biggest cricketing nations of Asia: India and Pakistan, questioned the participation of the countries.
As the dilemma was raised further, there were quite a few rumors that ruled out the participation of either of the two, while some made pretty clear that Pakistan has not been invited for the matches. The cricketing fans around the continent were hoping to see the Indian and Pakistani players don the Asia XI jersey against the World XI. It would have been a great message sent across the two countries to improve the conditions between the two but it seems like an impassable road to travel.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ruled out the possibility of the two nations to play together as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t even receive an invitation to participate. It spread quite widely and it was confirmed that Pakistan won’t be participating in the two-match series to be played in March 2020.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was more than happy to accept the invitation for Indian players to play for the Asia XI side. BCCI Joint Secretary Jayesh George informed that 5 Indian players will be a part of the squad as no Pakistani players will be included in the squad. In a press conference, he said, “What we are aware of is that there will be no Pakistan players in the Asia XI. That is what the message is, so, there is no question of both countries coming together or picking one over the other. Sourav Ganguly will decide the five players who will be a part of the Asia XI.”
When it comes to the name of the 5 players who will be included in the squad, nothing is confirmed yet and the names of the players will be out soon. As for the BCB is concerned, they have reportedly ingratiated the BCCI to allow MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to play in the noteworthy series. The names are to be selected by Sourav Ganguly and hopefully, this series can be the return of former captain MS Dhoni in the realm of cricket.
Which 5 players can feature in Asia XI and World XI T20I series?
The decision to select the 5 players could be solely an opportunity for a few players who have missed out on International cricket and have been an integral part of the T20 squad at some time. With the T20 World Cup lined up for the year, this opportunity can be used by Sourav Ganguly to send a squad that has been missing out from the T20 squad. It can also be an opportunity for the players to prove their mettle and represent BCCI at the same time. The possible names could be:
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been the go-to opener for Team India when it comes to the requirement of substitution but with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma leading the team’s batting order in the T20s, it has been difficult for KL to make an impact. A part of the recent India-WI series, KL opened alongside Rohit Sharma and showcased sheer class in every match.
The Karnataka batsman was in and out of the Indian National team, but he was lucky to find a regular position in the T20I series between India and West Indies. He was smart enough to grab the opportunity with both hands and scored a whopping total of 164 runs in the series. With a brilliant record in the T20 matches, he has managed to score 356 runs at an average of 44.50 in 2019.
Rohit Sharma made himself unavailable for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka series and it will be a brilliant opportunity for the young lad to make space for himself in the Indian team.
2. MS Dhoni
Former Indian captain and one of the best match finishers, MS Dhoni has been missing from the Indian squad since the world cup. The Indian cricket fans have been eyeing his return to the team since then and this series could be a return ticket for the boss. Asia XI would require a captain and who better than MS Dhoni to lead the squad to a glorious victory.
It will be a delight for the fans as well as the players and Bangladesh Cricket Board to see the man in action. He has been missing cricket for a long time now and this series could work as the preparation for the Indian Premier League. This can be an opportunity for MS to make a comeback in the Indian side and raise the stakes for his selection in the squad for T20 Worldcup.
MS Dhoni has had a fabulous record as a wicketkeeper, batsman and a captain for the Indian side as well as his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings. If BCCI decides to send MS for the Asia XI and World XI matches, it will be a great decision.
3. Manish Pandey
The Nainital born cricketer has been a constant bench-warmer for the Indian team during the T20s. He has shown great promise and has been featured regularly in the T20 squads after the 2019 World Cup but has failed to make it to the playing XI.Â
After the away series against West Indies, Manish Pandey has played the sole T20I against Bangladesh in Nagpur. Manish got married this year and he would expect the lady luck to work in his favor. He is a proven match-winner for the Indian Team and he would look to make a comeback and showcase his skills.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy, Manish led the Karnataka team to a tremendous victory. Before the T20 trophy, Manish was the skipper of the Karnataka team in the Vijay Hazare trophy too. His brilliant knocks and teamwork helped him win the trophy for his side. The over-whelming domestic numbers should keep him in a positive frame of mind and the selectors should seriously consider him for the national side.
4. Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah has been out of the Indian team for 3 months following an injury that seemed like a blessing in disguise for the spearhead. He has been India’s leading pacer for the past 2 years and the players all around the world find it difficult to dodge his yorker. The bowler was in constant action and needed some time off the field to get his head straight and come back stronger.
He is a part of the squad selected for the series against Sri Lanka but the coach will try to keep him off the action, considering his sensitive recovery from the injury. Recently, Sourav Ganguly stepped in and disallowed the bowler from playing the Ranji Trophy and we hope it was for the T20 matches against World XI.
Bumrah needs to recover and starting with matches that don’t tackle mental pressure would be a heads up for him. He has just started with his career and has become one of the toughest bowlers in the current scenario. Challenging the World XI with some pacy yorkers can give him a great momentum to restart his journey after the injury.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal
The surprise package in India’s bowling order, Yuzvendra Chahal has been out of action in 2019 and has played only 9 T20Is in 2019 where he picked up eight wickets. He has been there for the team whenever needed. Considered as a bowler who can provide a break-through whenever needed, Chahal has been India’s key performer as a spinner in the T20Is.
Chahal will be one of the most important bowlers for the team in the T20 World Cup to be played in Australia and playing against the best from all around the world will allow him to test his limits. Staying out of the playing XI might have had a dented experience on the bowler’s mind frame and it can be a great way to revive himself.