Team India hasn’t impressed the world in the T20I format in recent years. Despite being relatively consistent in bilateral T20I series, the Men in Blue have been found wanting on the big stage, the T20 World Cup. Their previous two campaigns in the showpiece ICC tournament have been awful, and it’s clear to say they need an upgrade in the shortest format.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has provided various players with the opportunity to strengthen their T20 game and contribute at the international level. However, the current season has seen a few great stars have poor individual performances.
Here are three current Indian T20I regulars that have underperformed thus far in the IPL 2023.
3) Hardik Pandya | GT
The Gujarat Titans (GT) are currently topping the IPL 2023 rankings. With eight victories in 11 games, they have effectively qualified for the playoffs and are expected to finish in the top two once more.
However, GT skipper Hardik Pandya has not been at his best this season. He appears to be finding his stride with the bat, with scores of 59, 39, and 25 in his previous three innings, although he has frequently failed to lift the ante. The all-rounder has also been ineffective with the ball, taking only three wickets.
Pandya has batted at No. 3 or No. 4 this year, and it remains to be seen whether those are his optimal places. He is expected to take over for Rohit Sharma in the T20I format, but India would want stronger performances from their key man.
Pandya will hopefully be able to build on his present attractive run with the bat and make significant contributions as the tournament winds down in the coming weeks.
2) Umran Malik | SRH
Umran Malik was one of the breakthrough stars of IPL 2022, contributing significantly for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in his maiden complete season in the league.
Umran’s raw pace meant that he was quickly fast-tracked into the national system, and he has played eight games in both the ODI and T20I formats. The 2023 season, on the other hand, has not been kind to the express swift.
Umran has only taken five wickets in seven games, at an economy rate of 10.35. He has currently lost his spot in the SRH side despite bowling only 17 overs in IPL 2023
1) Rahul Tripathi | SRH
Rahul Tripathi is another SRH player that has struggled this season. The top-order hitter recently produced a solid knock against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and had scored a great undefeated fifty earlier in the season. Otherwise, he has had little influence.
Tripathi has just 237 runs in 10 innings, with an average of 26.33 and a strike rate of 127.41. Pacers have had his number throughout the tournament, and he has looked unexpectedly scratchy out in the middle.
Tripathi is a breath of fresh air in any batting lineup and has had a number of sizzling cameos for India since making his debut.
Given his aim and devotion, it would have been easy to predict that his name would be on any T20I team ahead of the IPL.
Tripathi’s season, on the other hand, has been a letdown.
