Although their batting has finally taken off, there are still weaknesses in India’s bowling attack when they play the West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal of the T20 World Cup on Sunday in Kolkata.
With India’s decisive victory over Zimbabwe and West Indies’ loss to South Africa, this Group 1 Super Eights match has become a do-or-die match at the Eden Gardens.
The victor will advance to the second semifinal against England on March 5 in Mumbai.
India’s batting comeback against Zimbabwe was flawless and much anticipated. All six of the top batters worked together in a rearranged lineup that saw Sanju Samson return to the top.
Sanju made a comeback and scored just 24, but he should be commended for setting the pace early and giving India a great start. Abhishek Sharma, whose previous best had been 15 after a hat-trick of ducks, was calmed by that aggressive attitude.
Tilak Varma thrived in his new No. 6 slot, batting with newfound drive in his 16-ball 44 not out, while the star opener reacted in style with a half-century.
With a total of 256/4, the highest of this T20 World Cup, India checked all the boxes, but that doesn’t mean they come to Eden Gardens worry-free.
Although Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been excellent, and left-arm bowler Arshdeep Singh was India’s pick with a triple strike against Zimbabwe, spin ace Varun Chakravarthy has appeared to be a ghost of his former self. The mystery spinner seems to have experimented too much and has failed to get his length right.
India suffered greatly from his increasing inefficiency against South Africa, as he let up 47 runs in four overs as David Miller and the gifted Dewald Brevis launched a determined onslaught for 187/7 before India was bowled out for 111. When Varun attempted to bowl wider against Zimbabwe, the outcome was the same as when he bowled primarily short against South Africa.
This time, he gave up 35 runs in four overs as the seasoned Sikandar Raza toyed with him. It didn’t hurt much, though, because Zimbabwe was aiming for a record 257, unlike the South Africa game.
It’s unclear if the team management would stick with Chakravarthy or give him a break by starting left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has only participated in one game (against Pakistan).
Although Chakravarthy has played more at the Eden, both have spent the majority of their IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders at the ground and are familiar with the conditions.
The inconsistent performance of seam all-rounder Shivam Dube with the ball is another cause for concern. Against Zimbabwe, Dube conceded 46 runs in just two overs, including two no-balls and four wides in a 10-ball over.
Dube’s military-medium pace on a fast and juicy Eden surface might backfire against a potent West Indies lineup, despite Gambhir’s well-known affinity with bowlers who can bat. The pace trio of Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Pandya should get some help because the Eden surface is probably going to have some grass. Given that the spin attack isn’t providing total certainty just yet, their combined 12 overs could be crucial.
Since the beginning of the competition, the West Indies has been the side to beat. Their plan has been straightforward: they start steadily until the halfway point, then launch an audacious attack in the closing overs.
Before South Africa ended their streak with a clinical performance, they won five straight games thanks to that plan. Even so, West Indies shown depth by rallying to 176/8 despite being reduced to 83/7 in 11 overs, owing to a valiant, undefeated fifty by Romario Shepherd at No. 9.
Another significant benefit has been Shimron Hetmyer’s promotion to No. 3. West Indies may think about bringing back left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who was dropped after returning 3/28 against Zimbabwe at the turning Wankhede, given the dry Eden surface available.
He has an advantage over Gudakesh Motie because he can tighten things up in the middle overs and operate in the powerplay. What combination the Shai Hope-led team decides on prior to the toss is still up in the air.
Ten years ago, Darren Sammy held the T20 World Cup trophy as he stood on the podium at Eden Gardens. However, West Indies had to defeat India in the semifinals in Mumbai before they could rejoice in Kolkata.
History repeats itself ten years later with Sammy as head coach, but the obstacle is earlier this time.
Before their tournament opener against Scotland earlier this month, Sammy said, “Nobody is winning this World Cup if they don’t go through India,” and those comments are now more relevant than ever.
Teams (from):
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales
