England vs India 2018: Five players for whom the T20I series is very crucial

After conquering the Irish Isle convincingly the Indian team is now headed to the land of the Britons with hopes of a series victory across formats higher than ever. Given the current bunch of players, especially those who can kill with the ball in their hands, it is not wrong to say that their hopes are not ill-founded. But unless they make light of what is a revamped English side, they may fall well short of what they have come so far from home for. The hosts have a batting line-up as formidable as the visitors. And, as far as their bowlers are concerned, they will just be one Indian collapse short of bringing to life the ghosts of batting in swinging conditions that have haunted Indians in the past. It is hard to foresee the victors yet but, one thing is a surety- the matches will be exciting to the hilt.

This tour of England, especially the limited-overs contest, is being seen as a prelude to India's campaign at the World Cup next year, which will be hosted by England & Wales. It is therefore vital for the players to adapt to the conditions and get as much match practice in English conditions.

While the upcoming T20I series is crucial for the team as a whole, it is equally important for a few players for their own reasons. As some players compete against each other to secure their place in the squad, others will look to leaving their demons behind and making it big in series. This T20I series will be the deciding factor when the selectors meet to decide upon the T20 squad for the Australian tour. Only time will tell as to who are the players who will leverage the opportunity they get in this series. Here's a list of five players who need to lap up the chances they get in this crucial series.

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#5 Suresh Raina

A veteran of many on-field battles, Raina comes into the T20I side hoping to win the battle for a spot in the Indian middle-order. Despite his heroics in the second T20I against Ireland, his place in the squad remains in jeopardy. His 69 off 45 against a weak Irish attack may have secured his spot for a couple of matches more but, if he fails in this T20I series, he might be ousted from the side.

Raina's inclusion in the middle-order means that any one of Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, and Manish Pandey has to sit out. Given the form that Karthik and Rahul are in it becomes all the more crucial for him to make a mark in the series and justify his selection. Moreover, the competition is only going to get more intensive when Kedhar Jadhav makes a comeback.

Raina's experience will be handy for India in the World Cup. But for him to make it to the World Cup squad he has to back his chances with consistent performances. Experience won't be enough for breaking into the World Cup squad. This T20I series, and the ODI series thereafter, will be his litmus test. If he passes it with flying colours he will move one step ahead in making it to the World Cup squad.

#4 Manish Pandey

Pandey has to make sure that he plays an impactful innings if and when he gets a spot in the playing Xl

Manish Pandey is turning out to be another unfulfilled promise. He has, more often than not, failed to justify his selection. In spite of getting so many opportunities, he has never looked like a player destined to make it big in international cricket. With so many domestic players knocking on the doors of Indian national cricket team, it's high time he begins delivering on his promises.

His shortcomings in the Nidahas Trophy might have been enough for the selectors to show him the door but, as it turned out, a few better innings on the South African tour had him covered, at least for a place in the T20I squad. Given the facts that he is no more a part of the ODI setup, and that the Indian middle order has a plethora of options to choose from, this T20I series is perhaps his last shot at not only redeeming his place in the T20I side but also at staking a claim for a place in the ODI squad. He has to make sure that he plays an impactful innings if and when he gets a spot in the playing XI.

#3 Dinesh Karthik

Karthik deserves all the accolades he is receiving now

Dinesh Karthik has been in tremendous form of late. Never has he looked so good while batting. He has always been there, knocking the doors of the Indian cricket team but never quite made it big. Had it not been for Dhoni, Karthik would have reached far greater heights in international cricket, which he has managed to play only intermittently over the years.

Now that he is getting his share of opportunities he needs to build upon his performances in the recent past. Only then can he cement his place in playing XI in limited-overs squads. The Indian middle-order presently has plenty of options to choose from. But Karthik's selection may be limited due to Dhoni's presence. Nevertheless, if he plays out of his skin and proves his worth purely as a batsman, no one can withhold him from cementing his place in the playing XI.

This T20I series is a chance for him to not only secure a place in the T20 side but also make a case for his selection in the playing XI in the ODI series that follows next. With Rahul, Pandey and Raina also competing for middle-order spots in the T20I side, Karthik will be hoping for an opportunity to play a game. If he gets one in the T20 series the next thing that he has to make sure is an adroit display of batting skills in English conditions.

#2 KL Rahul

Rahul playing a shot against Ireland in the second T20I

KL Rahul is one of the few players whose form and skills can get him a place in any international outfit but India. The Indian squad is packed with worthy players at almost all the positions in its lineup, which makes it difficult for Rahul to be included in the playing XI. If not for a packed side, he has been kept out of the squad by injuries in his short international career. Now that he is back again and looks in a great shape he will look to cement his place in the side.

With Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma at the top, it is likely that he will be given a place in the middle order on the UK tour. There is a lot of competition there too. Things will not be any simpler upon Jadhav's return. Therefore, this T20I series comes as a golden chance for him to make an impact and add to his chances of being in the playing XI. Given his form, it may not prove to be a big task for him but he cannot make the mistake of taking English bowlers lightly, especially when they are bowling on their own turf.

#1 Deepak Chahar

Chahar earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team in place of an injured Bumrah

Deepak Chahar's story has been no different than of a paceman plagued with persistent injuries. Meteoric as his rise was, one could never have foretold the tragic fall that his injuries pushed him into. He announced his arrival on the domestic scene at 18 by picking up 8 wickets against Hyderabad in a single innings. But his career just could not take off from there as his injuries withheld him back.

He has slowly covered the lost ground though. The last couple of seasons have gone well for him. Add to that his performance in the recently concluded IPL for the trophy-winning side CSK and you get a bowler hard not to take note of. He was included in the India A side before being called up as a substitute for Jasprit Bumrah.

This T20I series is a wonderful opportunity for him to make up for his injury-ridden years. Playing as Bumrah's replacement and given his new ball skills, Chahar is more likely to earn a place in the playing XI. His skills with the new ball will be crucial in making an impact on the outcome of the matches. If he is able to justify his selection he will undoubtedly be in the selectors' scheme of things when they meet to take a call on the squads for the Australia tour, and who knows even in their reckoning for the World Cup.