Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned Team India’s adaptability after theT20 World Cup 2026 match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday. Ashwin highlighted that India didn’t adapt well to the conditions despite losing three early wickets.
India was under the cosh at 77-6 as they kept losing regular wickets after being put into bat. The hosts batter played with an aggressive approach despite losing wickets in quick succession.
The Wankhede pitch surprised a lot of cricket boffins as the surface was two-paced. Furthermore, it provided assistance to both pacers and spinners.
Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Whoever expected that this will be a high-scoring World Cup, those dreams have been shattered. We must praise the ICC because the wickets prepared by them – three games have been completed – all three matches produced contests between bat and ball. India had expected a typical Wankhede pitch but it wasn’t. What was surprising was India didn’t adapt well after first 2-3 wickets fell. They didn’t read it well. If India had predicted that its tacky or not the usual Wankhede wicket, they could have been conservative, held up wickets and eventually capitalised in the end. The way Suryakumar Yadav batted in the end, India could have ended with 20-30 more runs. The way they batted and how the wicket behaved, I felt 160 was a defendable score.”
The former off-spinner said Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive form holds India in good stead. SKY scored a blistering knock of 84 runs off just 49 balls against the USA after recently scoring 242 runs in five matches against New Zealand.
Ashwin added, “It is an excellent start for both the team and Suryakumar Yadav because we know how important a captain is in a World Cup campaign. India had collapsed in such a manner and I had put out a tweet when they were 73/6. I felt this was going to be a very uphill task. The way Surya batted from there on a difficult pitch would have given him plenty of confidence and he has the opportunity to lead India with more confidence. We know how testing the last 1 year was for Surya, the batter. Now he is well and truly back.”
Ashwin gave credit to the USA bowlers for bowling according to their plans and making the most of the conditions on offer.
He concluded, “While watching the match, I felt India firmly believed they had a superior quality than USA and expected the top-order to do the damage. During toss, Surya said it looked like a batting beauty. But the wicket behaved differently and USA bowlers deserve credit. USA executed their plans well and surprised them. India didn’t get the pace and bounce expected from the wicket. They were caught off-guard. Also, India didn’t plan to keep a buffer batter in Axar Patel that they did in the previous World Cup. Hopefully, they will come more prepared in the next game.”
India will next take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on February 12.
