Playing XI Of Indians Who Made Their International Debut In 2016
2016 was in an important year for Team India. India was going through a short transition, and new reinforcements were necessary. Hence, a number of cricketers made their debut that year. In this article, we take a look at the balanced playing XI of Indians who made their International debut in 2016.
The tour of Zimbabwe was when the management tried out the newcomers. The Indian Premier League had just finished and the edition had thrown a few good talents. Considering the performers from the domestic competitions, as well, BCCI sent a fresh-look team to the African nation. A few players who made their debut that year are still an important part of the set-up.
Openers: Faiz Fazal (C) and Mandeep Singh
Faiz Fazal and Mandeep Singh will open the batting for this playing XI of Indians who made their International debut in 2016. The Vidharbha cricketer was previously part of the Test Team but never got a chance to make his debut. He donned the Indian jersey in 2016 but it lasted only one game. On the other hand, Mandeep's India debut was long-due. He got a few opportunities in that series and also got a fifty. KL Rahul, too, made his limited-overs debut in that series but it was in 2014 that KL had made his international debut. Thanks to his proven leadership skills, Faiz Fazal will also lead this squad.
Middle-Order: Karun Nair and Gurkeerat Singh (WK)
Karun Nair also made his debut in 2016. It was in Tests that Karun actually did well for Team India. He got a three-hundred but was later dropped by the management. Since then, Karun has not been able to execute a comeback. His form in domestic cricket is also dropping slowly.
Not many know that Gurkeerat Singh is also an occasional wicket-keeper. Apart from this, he also bowls right-arm off-spin. He is still a part of the Punjab Ranji Team and was in the KKR squad for IPL 2021.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Rishi Dhawan and Pawan Negi
Hardik Pandya, Rishi Dhawan and Pawan Negi will be the all-rounders in this playing XI of Indians who made their International debut in 2016. While Hardik is still very much part of the set-up although he is out of the team currently, Rishi Dhawan is looking to make a comeback after a strong show in the 2021 edition of the domestic tournaments. Pawan Negi, though, has fallen out of the radar due to poor form.
Bowlers: Jayant Yadav, Barinder Sran, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal
Jayant Yadav made his debut in 2016 and in no time, he made an impression. He got a few more chances but lost his spot later on. In 2021, he made a comeback and is part of Team India touring South Africa. There was a lot of hope from Sran to fill the left-arm seamer spot left by Zaheer Khan. However, he could not do it.
Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal have been top T20I players ever since they made their debut. Of course, Bumrah has done well in all other formats. Both are still a crucial part of Team India, especially Bumrah.