Team India's T20 conundrum: Who will be top choices?

 This Indian Premier League (IPL) will be last year's T20 World Cup co-hosts India and Sri Lanka's last big audition of players for next year. India's T20 side has continued to dominate after the T20 World Cup victory in June a year ago, but it hasn't been India's preferred set, with formats running into each other and selectors keeping senior players in store for Tests.

Virat Kohli’s successors at the top of the order

It has put the selectors in an uncomfortable position. For example, Rishabh Pant will have to battle for his wicketkeeping position with Sanju Samson performing well in two out of four T20I series following the T20 World Cup. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who were long considered as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s successors at the top of the order, will have to do a lot more to displace Abhishek Sharma and Samson. 

Team management indicate that things are highly fluid

People close to the selectors and the team management indicate that things are highly fluid. Some experts believe that these T20I series were akin to India 'A' games except the last one at home against England. Based on the nature of the format, selectors are likely to form a core team on the basis of recent form instead of past performances.

Backup wicketkeepers as finishers?

Though Samson has a proven track record as an opener, his wicketkeeping rivals Pant and Rahul could seek a spot in the middle order. Even with Abhishek, Samson and Tilak Varma's ballasting all-round displays, India have not been able to finish regularly with a flourish. Gill and Jaiswal are already making a run for the opening position. This could tempt Pant and Rahul to prove their mettle down the order in IPL.

Bumrah's backup, Arshdeep

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will forever remain the frontline pacers. But the selectors are cautious with Bumrah's fitness woes and must construct a clear-cut backup. Mayank Yadav was promoted early in the October T20I series against Bangladesh. If he gets fit again and performs well in the IPL, he could threaten Harshit Rana's place. Indian conditions' spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel slot in nicely, so this IPL will be a make-or-break one for Kuldeep Yadav if he is to remain ahead of Ravi Bishnoi. Bishnoi has impressed everyone with his temperament in bowling the challenging overs.