T20 World Cup 2022: Can Rahul Dravid afford to reshuffle the squad before the semi-final?

And it has led to an age-old dilemma that the Indian team have, especially recently, found themselves on the wrong end of – experimentation. 

It’s an unwanted buzzword in Indian cricket. Still, it’s also a term that has become commonplace as Indian cricket grows from strength to strength, and the number of talented players produced has become too much to ignore. 

However, it also applies to players trying out a few new things now and again – even at the expense of some valuable time out in the middle. 

So, should the Indian team look to do any experimentation for the semis? Not according to former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who even believed that skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form was down to trying too much. 

“Let’s just hope that he (Rohit) is saving the runs for the next two matches. They are going to be the biggest matches,” he told India Today. 

“In a group game, you know there’s another game to follow, so you maybe sometimes try a little too much and get out."

“Now, these are knockout games. In a knockout game, you can’t afford to experiment too much. You need to be at your best. Hopefully, Rohit comes good.” 

His logic isn’t wrong, but it also suggests that India should steadfastly stick to their plans no matter what – which is the other end of an extreme. 

Previously, the Indian team were guilty of trying too hard and often chopped and change players as often as people changed clothes. 

However, the current regime is more about giving players long ropes – even if sometimes that long rope begins to resemble a noose. 

And there are areas of concern for the Indian team even now. The death bowling remains a worry but will not likely be fixed before the semis unless one of India’s pacers suddenly develops the ability to bowl consistently in the death. 

However, India’s steadfast backing of Ravichandran Ashwin despite having a world-class leg-spinner in Yuzvendra Chahal on the bench is baffling – especially since Australian pitches do tend to have something in them for a wrist spinner. 

The fact that Ravichandran Ashwin is a conservative choice, someone who contains the flow of runs and can bat a bit down the order, is evident. 

Despite offering next to nothing with the bat and being an attacking, wicket-taking spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal is kept in the cold. 

Based on Sunil Gavaskar’s logic, it would not be suitable to experiment and bring in Yuzvendra Chahal for Ravichandran Ashwin now that the semis has dawned upon us. Better late than never, and all of that. 

However, it seems likelier that Ravichandran Ashwin will retain his spot and ensures Yuzvendrab Chahal misses out on a World Cup game for the second year. 

Whether or not Rahul Dravid’s India is bold enough to change course in that regard is something we shall only know in due time.