5 min learnUp to date: Feb 6, 2026 01:57 PM IST
There was a pleasant second on Pakistani cyberworld the opposite day. On the YouTube channel Sport Plan, the host rattled by means of the names in India’s batting lineup, ending with an virtually rhetorical query: ‘Har ek banda akela match jita sakta hai, inke khilaaf, plan kya ho sakta hai?’ (Every one in all them can win a sport on their very own — what may be the plan in opposition to them?) Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali cupped his palms skyward and smiled: ‘Dua kar sakte hain’ (We are able to pray!).
For years main as much as the final T20 World Cup within the USA and West Indies, India appeared to have forgotten they owned the IPL. The disconnect was obvious. Their strategy to the shortest format felt outdated, significantly in batting — as in the event that they have been rolling alongside and not using a correct plan. In some methods, they resembled that first Royal Challengers Bangalore facet that didn’t fairly know what to do with T20 cricket.
Even within the 2024 version they gained, India have been virtually dragged into the brand new fashion of play by their captain Rohit Sharma, with assist from coach Rahul Dravid — by the way, the captain of that inaugural RCB group. Rohit had seized the zeitgeist a yr earlier throughout the ODI World Cup, and from then on, India started to show round, following their Pied Piper.
And right here they’re firstly of one other World Cup, completely reworked. For the primary time in any international match — ODI or T20 — India stands as essentially the most dominant group on the earth. By no means thoughts that the excitement across the match facilities extra on political developments than cricket itself.
Even within the 2024 version they gained, India have been virtually dragged into the brand new fashion of play by their captain Rohit Sharma. (Reuters Picture)
The proper mix
For the primary time, India are in complete sync with the T20 format they’ve watered, nourished, and grown for the reason that inaugural IPL in 2008. They’ve ticked all of the containers of up to date T20 concept.
Floaters are in: each batsman can slot in wherever within the order. Everybody should hit, whatever the match state of affairs. Through the latest collection in opposition to New Zealand, Ishan Kishan responded to a semi-crisis by smashing his method out of hassle. Just like the floating batsmen, the drifting bowlers have arrived too — Jasprit Bumrah can take the primary over or bowl the fifth, Hardik Pandya can open the bowling, and so forth.
That old-world time period ‘pinch-hitters’ is passé. Axar Patel can stroll in at quantity 4; Rinku Singh can float up the order. Intriguingly, each can maintain an finish if wickets tumble or counterattack relying on the group’s plan for the evening. Or they’ll deploy Tilak Varma, a essentially sound batsman with the pure sport to blunt and assault, possessing the nous to construct an innings even on this frenetic format — as he demonstrated beneath strain within the Asia Cup closing.
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India possess a bevy of match-winners throughout batting and bowling departments. (AP Picture)
The arsenal
The bowling combine seems to be equally synchronised with the format. They’ve Varun Chakaravarthy, who have to be on the high of his sport to deal with the flat pitches beneath dewy nights, and Kuldeep Yadav offering the spin choices. They’ve Jasprit Bumrah, who seems to be in fiery type; Arshdeep Singh, who has quietly been scaling up his sport and stays one of many uncommon new-ball bowlers on the earth courageous sufficient to hunt for swing; and Mohammad Siraj, who does what Siraj does. Then there’s Axar, Hardik, and a few batsmen who can flip their arms over — not like Indian groups of latest classic.
The presence of their MVP — a match Hardik Pandya to blaze away with the bat within the closing overs and take the brand new ball if wanted, permitting Bumrah to focus on the extra run-leaking fifth and sixth overs of T20 — can’t be understated.
The caveat
Does all this enthusiasm imply India will certainly win the World Cup? Solely time will inform. We’ve seen actually formidable groups stumble, particularly when internet hosting. If dew kicks in — as anticipated in India — how will this bowling assault maintain up? A few latest ODI video games in opposition to South Africa at dwelling provided a preview, and the decision wasn’t encouraging. Not that they are often blamed when the ball turns into cleaning soap, however it’s value noting that dew can neuter any assault, India’s included.
However the overarching level isn’t whether or not they’ll win or stumble. It’s that for the primary time, they genuinely seem like a correct T20 outfit. And it’s maybe no coincidence that on the helm are two males intimate with this format: Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir. It’s an natural evolution that started with Rohit and has now been bolstered by the present pair.
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Lastly, 18 years after Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq lofted a ball across the nook to Sreesanth — unwittingly clearing any obstacles Lalit Modi might need confronted in launching the IPL — India are finally soulmates with T20 cricket.