While downplaying opening batter Abhishek Sharma’s terrible form, India claims they can play their “perfect game” and peak at the proper time in the T20 World Cup Super Eights.
Wednesday’s victory over the Netherlands gave the co-hosts their fourth Group A victory, and Abhishek suffered his third consecutive duck.
India is yet to lose, but their performances have been less compelling, so they will need to improve in their first Super Eights match, a rematch of the 2024 final versus South Africa, which takes place in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Shivam Dube (66) was the cornerstone of a batting order that hasn’t been reliable thus far, helping Suryakumar Yadav’s team easily defeat the Netherlands by 17 runs.
“I don’t think we’ve played our perfect game yet. But we’ve had contributions from most of the players now, barring Abhishek, and I think we’re moving in the right direction,” AFP quoted India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate as telling reporters on Wednesday.
Referring to the Super Eights, he added: “It’s a good time to peak. And like I say, we haven’t played our best game yet, but this is the time to bring it to the table.”
In their first group match against the USA, India was down 77-6 until Suryakumar’s undefeated 84 saved his team. In the team’s victories over Pakistan and Namibia, Ishan Kishan scored half-centuries. However, Abhishek, his opening partner and the top-ranked T20 batsman in the world, is currently experiencing a slump.
“It’s not a big issue. He batted really well in the nets last night, which is the first thing you look at. You just want to make sure he’s feeling well himself and the rhythm is there,” said ten Doeschate of Abhishek.
Ten Doeschate, a former Dutch international, said, “I think he’s well aware of how good a player he is, and I think he understands that a small run of form like this can happen.”
Since making his debut in 2024, the daring Abhishek has amassed a punishing strike-rate of over 192 in 41 international games. Dube, who took 2-35 with the ball and was awarded player of the match on Wednesday, stated that the team was prepared to play South Africa.
“As a team everyone is very confident and they are backing themselves. It’s just about being ready, play well, give 100 percent on that day.”
In Group 1 of the Super Eights, India will also play the West Indies and Zimbabwe. The semi-finals will have the top two team from the group.
