Since winning the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, the Indian Team has not been able to lift the trophy again. While failing to deliver on D-days is deemed one of the reasons, the selectors, on their part, failing to pick the right squad is also pointed as an excuse for India’s dry run in this tournament. However, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has a solution.

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Speaking to the media ahead of MI vs CSK’s IPL game at the Wankhede on Sunday night, Fleming, while reverting to one of the questions surrounding Shivam Dube’s chances of breaking into India’s T20 WC squad, said the Indian selectors must decide on the template they want to play at the tournament and then pick the team around it.

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This advice is a much-needed one for the BCCI selectors, who have a massive task of picking the best 15 for the 20-team-tournament, starting on June 1 in the Caribbean and the USA. 

“The thing for me is, what type of game plan do they want to play during the World Cup? What have they identified as the right style of play for India in an away condition?” Fleming said.

“Then put players into that rather than just picking players and trying to find a game plan. I would be looking at the style of play that I would want, and then pick the players that are in-form and can perform the role that will best win that design,” CSK’s head coach continued.

‘Hardest job in the world’

While backing the selectors for doing the hardest job in Indian cricket to name a team worthy of lifting an ICC title, Fleming explained his reasons behind opting for Dube for the marquee event. 

Dube has been CSK’s standout batter this season, smashing 176 runs in four matches, striking at 160.

“It’s probably one of the hardest jobs in world cricket, isn’t it, being an Indian selector? On one hand, very jealous as a New Zealander looking at the amount of talent that is on show and new players every game sort of pop up,” Fleming said.

“I love his power. I’m biased, aren’t I? But I think when you have a bit different power like that; I would have him in the side,” the head coach added.

Meanwhile, the Indian selectors are said to be naming the T20 World Cup squad by the end of April or by May’s first week.

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