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    STUMP VISION                                                       FEBRUARY 20, 2026       |  The Indian Eye 42

             India’s Explosive Top Order Sets the

                     Tone for T20 World Cup Charge

             With power-packed hitters from top to middle order, India’s batting unit is overwhelming opponents
                                               and redefining dominance in the shortest format

            OUR BUREAU                                                                                            unbeaten 84 off 49 balls against the
                                                                                                                  USA earlier in the tournament reaf-
            Delhi
                                                                                                                  firmed his ability to accelerate at will.
               f India’s crushing 93-run win over                                                                 Whether  it  is  scoops  over  fine  leg,
               Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Sta-                                                                   lofted drives inside-out over cover,
            Idium was a statement of intent, it                                                                   or whip-pulls off good length deliver-
            was also a reminder of a deeper truth                                                                 ies, Yadav’s range ensures that even
            — this Indian top order is stacked                                                                    good balls can disappear.
            with explosive batters capable of tear-                                                                   Hardik Pandya complements
            ing apart any bowling attack inside                                                                   him perfectly. Against Namibia, Pan-
            the Powerplay itself.                                                                                 dya hammered 52 from 28 deliveries,
                In the shortest format, momen-                                                                    showcasing clean ball-striking down
            tum is everything. India’s current                                                                    the ground and brutal hitting square
            batting line-up doesn’t just chase mo-                                                                of the wicket. When Kishan’s blitz
            mentum; it manufactures it.                                                                           briefly slowed, Pandya reignited the
                On Thursday night, Ishan Kis-                                                                     charge. His presence at No. 5 gives
            han once again demonstrated why he                                                                    India the luxury of sustained aggres-
            is considered one of the most dan-                                                                    sion deep into the innings.
            gerous openers in T20 cricket. His                                                                        Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh
            61 off just 24 balls was not merely a                                                                 add further muscle and versatility.
            half-century — it was an assault deliv-                                                               Tilak’s composure against spin allows
            ered with precision. Kishan attacked                                                                  India to maintain tempo through the
            from the outset, punishing anything                                                                   middle overs, while Rinku’s finishing
            short and clearing the leg side with                                                                  credentials are already well estab-
            remarkable ease. His knock set the                                                                    lished. Few teams in the tournament
            tone for India’s imposing 209/9.                                                                      possess such depth — where even the
                Former India all-rounder Irfan                                                                    No. 6 or No. 7 batter can clear the
            Pathan, speaking on JioHotstar’s                                                                      ropes consistently.
            ‘Match Centre Live’, highlighted the                                                                      India captain Suryakumar Yadav
            clarity in Kishan’s approach.                                                                         believes the secret lies in freedom
                “He plays the short ball really well                                                              and clarity.
            and has a lot of time while playing it.                                                                   “If you prioritise team goals
            He  looked  very  confident.  Since  his   India’s Ishan Kishan hits a six during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namib-  ahead of personal milestones, more
            comeback, he has scored a lot of runs                                                                 often than not, the team will be in a
            in domestic cricket, and he carried     ia, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/Rahul Singh)   dominant position. Giving everyone
            that form here,” Pathan observed.                                                                     the freedom to play their natural
                What stood out was Kishan’s cal-  look modest, but the impact was sub-  loves using his feet. Interesting-  game is key,” he said after India’s win
            culated brutality. Namibia’s bowlers   stantial. Samson attacked from ball   ly, his reputation always precedes   over the USA.
            erred by not challenging him enough   one, ensuring there was no lull in   him because you expect him to do   That philosophy is visible on the
            outside off stump. The majority of   tempo even without India’s designat-  something special. As a bowler, that   field. There is little hesitation, min-
            his runs came through the leg side —   ed Powerplay destroyer.      changes your mindset completely,”   imal second-guessing. The batters
            from deep mid-wicket to long-on —     Abhishek Sharma’s likely re-  Nayar said.                       back their strengths and attack with-
            areas that have long been his strong-  turn  for the  blockbuster  clash   That psychological edge is invalu-  out fear of failure.
            hold. But as Pathan pointed out,   against Pakistan will further tur-  able in T20 cricket. When bowlers   The result is a line-up capable
            Kishan has worked on his off-side   bocharge the line-up. Over the last   begin with defensive fields or premed-  of posting 200-plus totals regularly
            game as well. The modern Indian   two years, Sharma has built a rep-  itated plans, India’s batters sense it in-  — and defending them confidently.
            opener is no longer a one-dimension-  utation as one of the most fearless   stantly. Sharma’s presence alone forc-  Against Namibia, after racing to 57/1
            al hitter; he is a 360-degree aggressor.  Powerplay batters in world cricket.   es captains to rethink lengths and lines.  in the Powerplay during the chase,
                And Kishan is just one piece of   JioStar expert Abhishek Nayar un-  Beyond the openers lies a mid-  the opposition found the pressure
            the puzzle.                       derlined his influence.           dle order that offers no respite.  overwhelming once India’s bowlers
                In Abhishek Sharma’s absence      “In the Powerplay, you know       Suryakumar Yadav, the cap-    tightened  the  screws.  Big  first-in-
            due to illness, Sanju Samson stepped   what he can do against spin; he loves   tain and the world’s No. 1 T20I bat-  nings totals create scoreboard anxi-
            in and produced a cameo of 22 off   playing spin. His strike-rate against   ter,  is  arguably the  most  innovative   ety; India’s explosive batting ensures
            just eight balls. The numbers may   both  spin  and pace  is high,  and he   stroke-maker in the game today. His   that pressure is constant.

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