Predicting the India Team That Will Start the ICC T20 World Cup
The 2016 International Cricket Council World Twenty20 is less than six months away, and hosts India are currently the heavy favourites to lift the trophy.
However, considering they've only played two T20Is since October 2014, predicting who will take the field in their opening match is a good topic for debate.
Sure, certain names such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are almost certain to be present, but can you name the rest of the side?
Although we'll probably have a better idea in a few weeks' time after India have faced South Africa in their upcoming series, here is our predicted India T20 World Cup XI based on what we know right now.
Feel free to let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments section.
1. Shikhar Dhawan
T20I appearances: 6
Runs: 101
Strike rate: 106.31
Average: 16.83
After his loss of form in 2014, Shikhar Dhawan is back to his best and, judging by his recent blistering ton against Bangladesh A, clearly seeing the ball very well.
With a game tailor-made for the sport's shortest format, the 29-year-old left-hander should excel in home conditions and help to provide some lightning starts to innings.
On a side note, Dhawan has surprisingly only played six T20 Internationals in his career compared to 64 ODIs, showing how little 20-over cricket is played at the top level.
2. Ajinkya Rahane
T20I appearances: 13
Runs: 273
Strike rate: 116.17
Average: 21.00
While he tends not to capture the limelight like some of his more illustrious colleagues, Ajinkya Rahane has been one of T20 cricket's most capable performers over the last couple of years.
Although he tends to be found in the middle order in the Test side, the 27-year-old, who actually captained India during their last T20I, normally lines up against the new ball in this format.
Throw in his excellent fielding, leadership skills and calm demeanour, Rahane can be one of the surprise packages of the 2016 T20 World Cup.
3. Virat Kohli
T20I appearances: 28
Runs: 972
Strike rate: 131.70
Average: 46.28
It seems inevitable that Test skipper Virat Kohli will soon take control of India's white-ball sides, but for now, the gifted shotmaker can concentrate solely on scoring runs.
And, judging by the 4,803 runs and 32 half centuries collected from 162 T20 innings so far in his career, this is something the 26-year-old clearly knows how to do.
Whether he's opening the batting or coming in lower down the order, once he finds his range, Kohli is one of the most destructive hitters in the game.
4. Suresh Raina
T20I appearances: 44
Runs: 947
Strike rate: 135.47
Average: 32.65
With 280 international appearances to his name, you would expect Suresh Raina to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, but his inconsistency often puts him at risk when India struggle.
However, T20 is arguably his strongest format, and his record—an average of more than 34 scored at a rate of 140.45—compares favourably to many of his peers.
Throw in his useful occasional spin bowling and Raina will most likely be a vital component of India's side when things get serious in March.
5. Rohit Sharma
T20I appearances: 42
Runs: 739
Strike rate: 126.10
Average: 30.79
Although he hasn't played a T20 International since the World T20 Final in 2014, Rohit Sharma is back in India's squad for the forthcoming series against South Africa.
Whether batting at the top of the pile or slotting in to the middle order, the 28-year-old has bags of experience and big-game know-how that could see him edge out Ambati Rayudu to start in the World Cup.
If he manages to find the same sort of form as when he produced this memorable innings against Sri Lanka, opposition bowlers and spectators will have to watch out!
6. MS Dhoni (capt and WK)
T20I appearances: 50
Runs: 849
Strike rate: 116.30
Catches/stumpings: 25/11
Since Virat Kholi's seamless takeover of the Test side, MS Dhoni has almost become a forgotten man in Indian cricket. Apart from a recent charity game, he hasn't played since June.
But the wicketkeeper-batsman remains the brains of India's white-ball outfit and will no doubt play some major innings when the going gets tough in March.
Despite being listed to bat at six in this side, Dhoni can move up and down the batting order as circumstances dictate.
7. Stuart Binny
T20I appearances: 2
Runs: 35
Strike rate: 120.68
Wickets: 1
Economy rate: 5.50
Stuart Binny is a useful cricketer to have in any side, providing lusty late-order hitting and controlled, stump-to-stump medium pacers that can be difficult to face on a helpful pitch.
Bangladesh found that out in a 2014 ODI, where the Bangalore-born all-rounder recorded the astonishing figures of six wickets for just four runs from just 20 balls.
Since then, Binny has also managed to work his way into India's Test team, making two appearances on the recent tour of Sri Lanka. However, limited-overs cricket sees him at his most effective.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
T20I appearances: 26
Runs: 55
Strike rate: 117.02
Wickets: 25
Economy rate: 7.32
It is well documented that MS Dhoni likes to have Ravichandran Ashwin in his team, so it would be no surprise if the all-rounder found himself fulfilling the important role at eight when March comes around.
Although his T20I statistics don't suggest it, the 29-year-old is an accomplished performer who has scored two Test tons and taken 12 five-wicket hauls.
Capable of bowling at the start and the death of an innings or even being used as a go-to when wickets are desperately required, Ashwin could be a crucial component of India's side.
9. Axar Patel
T20I appearances: 2
Wickets: 4
Economy rate: 5.00
It's still early days in Axar Patel's international career, but so far, the talented left-arm spinner—who is also a useful with the bat—looks like he belongs at the top level.
The 21-year-old really came to the fore at the 2015 IPL with 13 wickets for Kings XI Punjab, while an impressive recent showing against South Africa A, where he claimed match figures of nine for 92, also enhanced his reputation.
Having been named in the squad to face the full South Africa side over the next few weeks, Patel is clearly in the selectors' minds and could be a future star.
10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
T20I appearances: 11
Wickets: 13
Economy rate: 6.17
Possessing great control and an ability to swing the ball both ways, the 2016 T20 World Cup is a great opportunity for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to firmly establish himself in the upper echelons of bowlers.
At the age of just 25 years old, Kumar has already taken 95 international scalps across all formats, but a plethora of injuries stalled his career in 2014.
However, his impressive performances at IPL 2015—18 wickets at 22.61—where his ever-improving death bowling really stood out, should make him one of the first names on the Indian teamsheet. That's if he can stay fit.
11. Ishant Sharma
T20I appearances: 14
Wickets: 8
Economy rate: 8.63
Ishant Sharma appeared to turn a corner on India's recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he claimed 13 wickets across the three Tests to help his country secure a historic victory.
But despite this triumphant resurgence of form, the giant paceman wasn't named in his country's most recent T20 and ODI squads to face South Africa.
Fortunately for Sharma, India's bowlers seem to come-and-go on a regular basis. If he can make a strong start to the domestic season, he could easily be back in the reckoning when the World Cup comes around.