Basic HTML Version

|  | Table of Contents |  | View Full Version

Page 44 - The Indian EYE 020626
P. 44

    STUMP VISION                                                       FEBRUARY 06, 2026       |  The Indian Eye 44

                       India Tune Up for T20 World

                  Cup with Depth, Balance and a

                                       Champion’s Mindset

             Defending champions India head into the T20 World Cup as favourites, blending fearless new faces,

                    proven match-winners and growing tactical clarity as the countdown to February begins.

            OUR BUREAU
            Mumbai

                  s the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approach-
                  es, India appear to be arriving at the tour-
            Anament with an enviable mix of confidence,
            clarity and cushion — the rare luxury of a defend-
            ing champion that has both form and flexibility on
            its side. Former India all-rounder and head coach
            Ravi Shastri believes the Men in Blue begin their
            title  defence  as  “clear  favourites,”  citing  current
            form, match fitness and squad balance as decisive
            factors.
                India open their campaign on February 7
            against the USA and have been drawn into Group
            A alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands and Na-
            mibia. Since lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in
            Barbados under Rohit Sharma in 2024, India have
            barely put a foot wrong in the shortest format, win-
            ning series consistently and expanding their bench
            strength. Under new captain Suryakumar Yadav,
            the side has embraced an aggressive but adaptable
            approach, designed to withstand the volatility of
            T20 cricket.                                            Shivam Dube plays a shot during the Asia Cup 2025 final match against Pakistan (ANI file photo)
                Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri pointed
            to India’s top order as a major advantage. “Man
            to man, current form, match fitness, the amount   order but also improves match-ups against spin, a   himself spoke about the evolution of his mindset,
            of cricket they have played in recent times, makes   factor expected to play a decisive role during the   shaped by repeated exposure to high-pressure sit-
            them clear favourites. Especially when you look at   tournament.                           uations. With a strike rate above 170 since the 2024
            that top order and the kind of form they are in,”   Spin bowling is another area where India ap-  World Cup and improving bowling contributions,
            he said. Equally important, according to Shastri, is   pear well-stocked. Varun Chakaravarthy’s mys-  Dube has emerged as a genuine X-factor, particu-
            the psychological freedom enjoyed by several play-  tery, Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin craft, Axar Patel’s   larly against spin in the middle overs.
            ers who will be featuring in their first World Cup.   control and Washington Sundar’s versatility give   Shastri, however, sounded a familiar note of
            “There is less baggage on a lot of players. They are   India a varied spin arsenal. Shastri stressed that   caution drawn from recent history. Referring to
            playing their first World Cup, and it is an opportu-  correct combinations and balance will be crucial.   India’s loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, he
            nity for them to express themselves.”        “Spin will play an integral part. When you look at   warned about the invisible pressure that comes
                That blend of freshness and experience de-  variety, players at the right positions and balance,   with expectations, especially when playing at home
            fines India’s current setup. The core of the 2024   India can defend this title,” he said.  or as defending champions. “You have a bad 10 or
            title-winning side — including Jasprit Bumrah,   Recent matches against New Zealand have   15 minutes in a T20 game, it can decide the out-
            Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube   also served as a valuable dress rehearsal, high-  come. Often, that happens because of pressure,”
            and Suryakumar Yadav — provides stability and   lighting both India’s strengths and areas that need   he noted. How India start the tournament, he add-
            know-how in pressure situations. Around them,   tightening.  Despite  leading  the  five-match  T20I   ed, could shape their entire campaign.
            players like Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh and   series  3-1,  India  suffered  a  50-run  defeat  in  the   With depth in batting, variety in bowling and
            Harshit Rana add dynamism and depth, giving In-  fourth match at Visakhapatnam, a reminder of how   a squad comfortable with rotation and role clari-
            dia multiple options depending on conditions and   quickly momentum can shift in this format. New   ty, India appear better prepared than ever for the
            opposition.                                  Zealand’s aggressive powerplay batting and dis-  chaos of a T20 World Cup. If they manage to de-
                Fitness, however, remains one watch point.   ciplined spin bowling exposed India’s early-order   fend the title, they will become the first team to
            India  will  be  keen  to  have  Tilak  Varma  fully  fit   vulnerability, even as Shivam Dube’s blistering 23-  do so and lift their third T20 crown. For now, the
            after abdominal surgery, with Shastri underlin-  ball 65 showcased India’s middle-order firepower.  signs point to a side that is not just talented, but
            ing the importance of the left-hander at number   For India, such setbacks are being treated as   ready — mentally, tactically and collectively — for
            three. His presence not only strengthens the top   learning opportunities rather than alarms. Dube   the challenge ahead.

                                                                   www.TheIndianEYE.com

| 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 |