India is one of the favorites again this year and, being the world’s number 1 T20I team, which won 23 T20Is in 32 games in 2022, without a result, the expectations are once again huge.
India failed to reach the knockout stage in the latest edition in the UAE, after losing their first two Super 12 matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. Once again they will open their campaign against Pakistan’s historic rivals on October 23. A lot has changed in the past year and this time India will look to avenge the crushing 10 wicket defeat in the UAE.
It wasn’t match day, but hundreds of Indian fans turned up at the MCG today to see the #TeamIndia goals. 🇮🇳🥁👏… https://t.co/OLsVZWGjJt
– BCCI (@BCCI) 1666448628000
The core of the Indian squad remains the same this time too, with nine of the 15 members of the 2021 squad still on the current squad.
Here TimesofIndia.com highlights three strengths of Team India this time:
AGGRESSIVE APPROACH IN BATTLE
Team India faced criticism after the 2021 T20 World Cup debacle, mainly for its slow batting in Powerplay over and middle over, putting a lot of pressure on hitters to compensate in Death Over. They have decided to change tactics and have started giving their all from the start, and it’s working well for the team.
Image credit: BCCI
Since the 2021 World Cup in the UAE, India has scored their points with an average points per over (RPO) of 9.32, the highest in the world during the period. Among the top teams, only South Africa (9.06) and England (9.02) have an RPO of over 9. In fact, India’s arch-rival, Pakistan, has an RPO of just 8.07. during the period. It has led India to win 26 of its 35 T20Is, to no avail, since the last edition of the T20 World Cup.
India will try to continue with the same tactic and put pressure on their opponents from the start. With a fit lineup and long batting, India can put out all flaming weapons from the start without too much concern of losing a wicket or two at the start of the inning. It has paid good dividends so far and in all likelihood it will also in the mega event.
BATTERIES IN SHAPE
Nearly the entire Indian batting formation is in top shape for the big tournament in Australia. Led by world number 2 Suryakumar Yadav, all batters including skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandia and Dinesh Karthik are on good terms at the moment and have played high impact shots in the recent past.
Suryakumar Yadav (Image credit: BCCI)
Mild concerns about Rahul and Kohli have faded in recent months, with the two racking up points in tough situations against good bowling teams during the Asian Cup and series against Australia and South Africa.
Suryakumar has amassed 864 runs since the 2021 T20 World Cup with a staggering 180 strike rate, reaching one hundred seven hundred and fifty in 26 innings. While Rohit scored points at 145 strike rates during the period, scoring 699 points with the help of 4 fifty in 26 innings. Kohli ended his century of drought and scored 485 points in 14 innings with a decent strike rate of 139.36. Hardik also scored his points with an impressive rate of 151.38. Rahul (SR 128.66) is improving with time and Karthik can land his shots from the first ball.
ALL-ROUNDER IMPACTS
The shape and safety of the handyman Hardik Pandya gives India a big advantage in crunch games. Hardik with his impact serve has won few games in the recent past and regularly bowling 3-4 overs in one game. All positive signs for Team India which gives the formation a balanced aspect. In the last year since the last edition of the T20 World Cup, Hardik has been phenomenal with the bat, scoring 436 points in 18 innings with a strike rate of 151.38 including two fifty.
Along with Hardik, the all-rounder spins – Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin – also give the gaming XI a healthy feel. Axar, who was drafted into the team as a similar substitute for Ravindra Jadeja, proved his worth in recent home series against Australia and South Africa, winning 10 wickets in six games. Both Axar and Ashwin are world-class spinners and are very useful with the club at the bottom of the order at number 7 and 8.
Hardik Pandya (Image credit: BCCI)
The Indian team also has a batting all-rounder in Deepak Hooda, who can raise his arms for deliveries during the break when needed.
While India doesn’t have the space to accommodate too many well-rounded players in its XI game, it hopes anyone playing that game can deliver. Captain Rohit Sharma has already said that the team is open to changing the game XI for each match if necessary. The presence of high-impact handymen gives India both batting and bowling depth as they can enter with six bowlers in the 11th game without compromising the batting lineup.
