Undeserving Players Picked In India's T20 Squads For Ireland, England

Team India. [Source - AFP]

India’s T20I squads for the upcoming Ireland and England series have generated plenty of discussion, with several fans and experts questioning some of the selections. While the squad features many deserving performers, a few names have emerged as potentially undeserving players in India’s T20I squads for Ireland and England.

Recent form, consistency, and team balance are crucial factors in T20 cricket, making every squad selection a subject of scrutiny. However, some players appear to have secured their spots despite underwhelming performances, leading to debates about whether India overlooked more deserving candidates.

As India prepares for two important overseas assignments, the spotlight will be firmly on these controversial selections. Here is a look at three undeserving players picked in India’s T20I squads for Ireland and England series whose inclusion has raised eyebrows among fans and cricket analysts alike.

List of Undeserving Players in India’s T20I Squads for Ireland, England

3. Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi is the lone wrist-spinner in India’s T20I squads for Ireland and England. Although he has been part of India’s plans for a while, the presence of Kuldeep Yadav has limited his opportunities at the international level.

Since the start of 2025, India have played plenty of T20Is, yet Bishnoi has featured in only seven matches, picking up eight wickets. For a wrist-spinner, those numbers are far from exceptional and do not strongly justify his selection.

His IPL form has been equally concerning. Across 20 matches since 2025, Bishnoi has managed 20 wickets at an expensive economy rate of 10.38. Despite a promising start with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, he eventually lost his place to a rookie debutant Yash Raj Punia.

2. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar appears to be one of the first names on the team sheet under Gautam Gambhir's regime. While his all-round abilities are undeniable, his performances have not been significantly better than other spin-bowling all-rounders such as Krunal Pandya.

Another factor that makes his selection debatable is his utilization. Since 2025, Sundar has largely been used as a middle-order and death-overs batter in T20Is, roles for which India possess several more accomplished and explosive options in the format.

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His bowling impact has also been limited. Sundar rarely completes his full quota of overs for either India or in the IPL, reducing his value as an all-round option. With Axar Patel already fulfilling the floater all-rounder role, a specialist finisher, spin-hitter, or a more effective T20 spinner like Krunal Pandya may have been a more logical selection.

1. Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube’s transformation into a finisher was crucial for India during the T20 World Cup 2026, but his recent IPL returns raise concerns. Inconsistent form could undermine the confidence placed in him for key roles in the squad.

Recent IPL performances have been underwhelming. Dube managed fewer than 300 runs and frequently failed to guide CSK over the line. With other players like Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav already dropped for poor form, Dube’s selection feels equally questionable.

Dube’s spin-bashing role is no longer his primary responsibility, Tilak Varma handles pace-hitting more effectively, and Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder. With limited options for countering spin, a player like Rajat Patidar might have been a better choice than Dube.

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