KL Rahul is believed to be slightly ahead of Sanju Samson in the race for the second wicketkeeper's spot even as Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's indifferent batting form remains a concern for the national selection panel, which is expected to select the 15- will announce a strong squad for the T20 World. Cup in America at the end of this month. The other point of contention in finalizing the squad could be the choice of an additional bowler. It remains to be seen whether a bowler with extra pace will be brought in in Avesh Khan or whether the choice would be between Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel, given the low and slow numbers in the West Indies. It is understood that skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to meet chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the team's draft.
With the ICC setting a deadline of May 1 for announcing 15-member squads, the BCCI is expected to announce the names sometime between the end of this week or early next week.
Pandya has bowled 17 overs out of 32 possible in eight matches for MI so far.
As a designated finisher, he has hit just seven sixes in these matches, which is below par by any measure. The free-flowing bat-swing is completely missing from the 150 odd runs he has scored in the tournament so far at a strike rate of 142.
However, Pandya can be termed a 'TINA' (There is no alternative) option for the selectors as Shivam Dube, who is also expected to board the flight to New York, is also not bowling.
Dube the bowler is also nowhere close to Pandya in terms of skill and pace, but his current batting form (22 sixes in eight matches) cannot be ignored either.
Rahul vs Sanju
It can be safely concluded that Rishabh Pant, who now ranks third among the top run-getters in the league with 342 with a strike rate of 161, has sealed his place as the team's No. 1 keeper-batsman and also the designated finisher. .
The battle is quite intense for the second goalkeeper position and despite KL Rahul (302 at 141 SR) not hitting in the mid-range, his range of shots might help him beat Samson (314 at SR 152).
Samson may once again have to be satisfied with the fact that he is on standby, just like the fifty-something from last year during the World Cup.
Bishnoi vs Avesh vs Axar
The five bowlers, who have all but sealed their places, are Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
But apart from Bumrah and Kuldeep, the other Indian bowlers have not been in top form during the IPL and hence the choice of an additional bowler becomes very important.
It will be a three-way battle between Rajasthan Royals' pacer Avesh, Delhi Capitals left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Axar and Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Bishnoi.
Avesh, who has improved a lot in terms of his death bowling, has eight wickets from as many matches with an economy rate of 9.41, while Bishnoi has taken only five wickets, but on flat tracks his economy of 8.47 can be considered impressive .
Axar, who has seven scalps from nine matches but bowls at just over seven, would also be a brilliant choice considering the circumstances.
Add to that his batting skills, scoring runs at 132, and also the fact that he is a very good all-round fielder.
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