(AP Photo)
Scoring runs proved challenging in New York, but as the tournament progresses to the Super Eight stage, Rohit Sharma will be eager for his batsmen to find their rhythm.
India had set their sights on three consecutive victories in the New York leg of the T20 World Cup, but the matches didn’t unfold as they had envisioned. Despite the explosive batting seen in the IPL, the drop-in pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium provided a different challenge, with inconsistent bounce making it difficult for batsmen to unleash their strokes freely. Consequently, only one match out of eight saw a total exceeding 120 runs.
In contrast, India’s bowlers found success in exploiting the challenging conditions, curbing boundaries and breaking partnerships at crucial junctures. While Jasprit Bumrah continued his stellar form, the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj capitalized on the conducive conditions, bolstering their confidence.
However, India’s batsmen faced difficulties in adapting to the conditions, resulting in subdued performances. The final Group A match against Canada in Lauderhill, Florida, presents an opportunity for redemption, provided the weather permits, given the recent heavy rain in the region. Despite the cancellation of their practice session, India’s batsmen are eager to make amends on a ground they are familiar with, having played eight T20Is against West Indies at the Central Broward Park.
For Virat Kohli, this match signifies a chance to rediscover his form after a string of low scores. While Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have shown glimpses of their prowess, they, along with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, are yet to hit their stride in the tournament.
India’s bowling combination will also be under scrutiny, with the spin-heavy squad likely to make adjustments based on the conditions. As they prepare to face Canada, who might struggle against wrist spin, Kuldeep Yadav could feature in his first match of the T20 World Cup, offering a new dimension to India’s bowling attack.
