IPL 2020: 5 Indian bowlers who need to do well to make it to the T20 World Cup squad

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is all set to commence on the 19th of September after winning a drawn-out battle against the T20 World Cup.

The International Cricket Council's marquee shortest-format tournament has been shelved temporarily in favour of the IPL, although two editions of the T20 World Cup are set to take place in successive years - 2021 and 2022.

The 2021 T20 World Cup, in particular, is one that will be crucial to hosts India's standing in international cricket. The Men in Blue haven't won an ICC event since the 2013 Champions Trophy, and Virat Kohli is under immense pressure to deliver one at the earliest.

IPL 2020 might make or break the T20 World Cup hopes of many Indian players, and here are 5 fast bowlers who need to do well in order to make the country's squad for the tournament.

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#5 Shardul Thakur

Thakur has been expensive for CSK in the last two editions of the IPL

Although Shardul Thakur has conceded runs at an economy rate of over 9 in both his IPL seasons for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he is a wicket-taking threat. The pacer is useful with the new ball, and always gives it his all when called upon by his captain.

For India, Thakur made his T20I debut in 2018 and has represented the country in 15 games in the shortest format, with 19 wickets to his name. The 28-year-old hasn't been as impressive as he'd have liked, and needs a strong IPL showing to convince the selectors that he should be picked ahead of a host of other Indian pacers.

Thakur might not get to play all games for CSK in IPL 2020 but when he does, he'll need to be at his best.

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#4 Navdeep Saini

Saini might finally solve RCB's death bowling woes

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Navdeep Saini is one of the fastest bowlers at India's disposal at the moment, and is in prime position to make the T20 World Cup squad if he has a good IPL.

After a Man of the Match performance on his T20I debut, Saini has been quietly consistent for India in the format, but given the depth of the fast bowling department, he needs to prove why he is much more than an express bowler.

After good performances with the new ball and at the death for Virat Kohli's RCB in IPL 2020, the 27-year-old could become a regular for India in all three formats.

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#3 Mohammed Shami

Shami will be the leader of KXIP pace attack in IPL 2020

After many indifferent IPL seasons, Mohammed Shami finally came into his own in IPL 2019 for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). And in this year's campaign, the Bengal pacer will lead the pace attack for KL Rahul's side, and is one of the only recognised Indian fast bowlers.

Shami made his T20I debut way back in 2014, but has played only 11 games. He recently made a comeback to the team at the start of this year, and with so much responsibility on his shoulders during IPL 2020, he could easily make the T20 World Cup squad.

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#2 Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar will be crucial to MI's fortunes in IPL 2020

Rahul Chahar has played only T20I for India back in 2019 against the West Indies, but has been on the fringes of the team for some time now after excelling for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL. The young leg-spinner is currently behind Yuzvendra Chahal in the pecking order, but the two are very different bowlers and there's no reason why they can't play in the same team.

In a threadbare MI spin attack, Chahar is a very important player, and is all but certain to shine in IPL 2020.

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#1 Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar has rejoined CSK training after recovering from COVID-19

Deepak Chahar recently returned to CSK training for IPL 2020 after recovering from COVID-19, and the pacer is all set to feature for the 3-time IPL champions right from the very first game.

The Rajasthan quick holds the record for the best-ever figures in T20Is, but a spate of injuries prevented him from making a spot in the Indian team his own. Chahar will face competition from the players on this list, apart from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.

But with a good IPL 2020, he can easily make the squad for the T20 World Cup.

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