India’s T20 World Cup Bowling Strategy Relies Heavily on Spin
In preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, India has devised a bowling plan centered around a heavy reliance on spin. The team’s decision is based on the slow and sluggish wicket conditions expected in the region, as well as the early start times for India’s matches.
Captain Rohit Sharma justified the inclusion of four spinners and just three pacers in the 15-member squad. He explained that the morning start times, typically around 10 am local time, present technical challenges that favor spin bowling.
“With a morning start at 10-10.30am, there’s a little bit of technical aspect involved in this,” Rohit said. “The reason for picking four spinners is something I won’t reveal now.”
The four spinners in the squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Jadeja and Patel are left-arm spinning all-rounders, while Yadav and Chahal are wrist spinners.
Rohit also highlighted the need for a middle-order power hitter to accelerate the scoring against spinners. He identified Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube as the player to fill this role.
“The one thing we really looked at was middle-overs hitting,” Rohit said. “We picked Shivam Dube based on the IPL and a few games before the IPL as well.”
Dube has been in impressive form for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, smashing 350 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 171.56. He is expected to contribute with the ball as well, despite bowling only one over in this IPL.
Rohit revealed that he had a clear idea of the World Cup squad before the IPL. “You make the playing XI in your mind and work around it,” he said. “The talk of what our final 15 started much before the IPL.”
