Team India is currently facing a problem of plenty and presents a good headache for the selectors to pick the final squad before any tournament. with such an enormous pool of talent to choose from. The domestic circuit and the T20 Indian League have played a great role in adding to the squad depth every now and then.

With the senior side in England for the World Test Championship and the subsequent Test series versus England and a second-string side gearing up for the limited overs series against Sri Lanka, we look at the bench strength that consists of domestic and Indian T20 League stars that can form yet another limited-overs team that can compete against an international side. 

The team comprises a perfect balance in all the departments with specialist captain and wicket-keeper too. 

YASHASVI JAISWAL

The elegant left-hander was the Player of the Tournament in the 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa where India lost to Bangladesh in the finals. In his List A debut for his home side Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2019, Jaiswal became the youngest double centurion in this history of List A cricket. He was picked up by Team Rajasthan prior to the Indian T20 League auction in 2020 for a price of INR 2.3 crore and has since played a total of six matches across two seasons.

RAHUL TRIPATHI

The stylish right-handed opener rose to fame during the 2017 Indian T20 League while playing for Pune under the leadership of MS Dhoni. He has been a consistent run-scorer for Maharashtra in the domestic circuit and has been on the T20 league circuit for some time now. He was picked up by Team Kolkata prior to the 2020 auctions.

MANDEEP SINGH

The attacking opener is a known name in the Indian domestic circuit by now. He captains Punjab and has been plying his trade in the Indian T20 League for almost a decade now. He also settles well in the middle-order. He has played three T20Is for India in 2016 and hasn’t been picked thereafter.

PRIYAM GARG 

Priyam Garg captained India at the U-19 World Cup in South Africa and was picked up by Team Hyderabad in the Indian T20 League at INR 2.3 crore. He is a solid player in the middle-order and can be handy at the big stage if given a chance.

VIJAY SHANKAR

Referred to as India’s 3-D player, Shankar is an all-rounder that provides a mix of good middle-order batting and a few overs of medium pace tool. He has represented India in 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is and was also a part of the 2019 World Cup squad in England.

PRABHSIMRAN SINGH (WICKET-KEEPER)

The Punjab wicket-keeper is a much talked about name in the domestic circuit. He led the India U-19 team to Asia Cup victory in 2019. Yet to make his first-class debut, he has already shown signs that he is ready for the big stage.

RIYAN PARAG

Member of the India U-19 winning side in 2018, Riyan Parag entered the Indian T20 League with Team Rajasthan and in this first season itself in 2018 became the youngest cricketer to score a fifty in the Indian T20 League. He is a young promising all-rounder who has the potential to go all the way.

HARSHAL PATEL

A regular feature in the domestic circuit who plays for Haryana, Patel came into the limelight with his 17 wickets in seven matches and earning the Purple Cap in the first half of the Indian T20 League in 2021. He is an experienced campaigner having represented various teams in his career so far.  

RAVI BISHNOI

Highest wicket-taker in the U-19 World Cup in 2020, Ravi Bishnoi almost single-handedly spun the final in India’s favour with a counter-attacking four-wicket haul. Picked up by Team Punjab post that, he picked 12 wickets in his debut Indian T20 League season. He is known for his googlies and his performances indicate that he has the skill to be drafted into the senior team. 

JAYDEV UNADKAT (CAPTAIN)

Jaydev Unadkat made his Test debut in 2010 and since then has been a forgotten name in the longest format. He kept himself in the mix over the years and made his limited overs debut and became an Indian T20 League regular. The lanky pacer captained his Saurashtra to a Ranji Trophy title in the 2019-20 season and has all the experience of leading the side.

KARTIK TYAGI

Initial looks at Kartik Tyagi’s bowling action hinted at shades of the great Brett Lee. The tall pacer from Uttar Pradesh shone with the ball at the U-19 World Cup in South Africa and then impressed with his Rajasthan debut in the Indian T20 League. He was also the net bowler on India's historic tour to Australia and has improved on his art quite quickly enough to make him ready at the highest level.

Featured photo : Michele Spatari / AFP