Standby players: India has named four reserve cricketers alongside their 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
The anticipation among millions of fans for India’s 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 ended an hour ago when the chief selectors announced the team, contrary to expectations of a post-dinner reveal. Despite widespread media speculation about possible changes following the Asia Cup 2022 debacle, the selection committee has chosen not to make any bold decisions ahead of the major tournament.
With their support for the current group of players despite concerns about form or playing style, the responsibility now falls on the players to deliver and justify their places in the squad.
Standby player list for T20 World Cup 2022 India squad photo
Along with the 15-member squad, Indian selectors have named four standby players for the tournament. Batter Shreyas Iyer and pacer Deepak Chahar, both standbys in the 2022 Asia Cup, are joined by spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Bishnoi, after playing in the Asia Cup, has been relegated to the standby list, while Shami hasn’t featured in a T20I since the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
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— BCCI (@BCCI) September 12, 2022
One goal 🎯
Our squad 💪🏻#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Dw9fWinHYQ
What is standby player in cricket?
A standby player in cricket is exactly as the term suggests—not part of the main squad but ready to step in if needed. This usually occurs when a player from the main squad is injured during a tournament. With the approval of an ICC (International Cricket Council) committee, a standby player can be called up to the main squad.
For example, in the 2022 Asia Cup, all-rounder Axar Patel and pacer Deepak Chahar were brought in to replace the injured Ravindra Jadeja and the unwell Avesh Khan. Similarly, Rishabh Pant, originally part of a three-member standby group, was added to India’s main squad during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England.