There has been a noticeable shift in India’s mentality when it comes to batting in T20 Internationals. While earlier, a conservative method of taking the game deep, putting a price on the wicket and then hoping for a late flourish used to be the norm, it now seems that the Men in Blue are adapting to the sign of the times.
In recent months, there has been an increasing need to start attacking and taking on the bowlers as soon as possible. This template of attacking cricket, pioneered by West Indies and then England over the last decade, has been commonplace in the shortest format of the sport for a while now. Therefore, it isn’t surprising to see Team India getting on the same bandwidth.
However, the risk of playing attacking cricket from the word go is also immense as the team realised during the second T20I against West Indies. Starting from captain Rohit Sharma trying to cut an unexpected bouncer to the string of dismissals that left the team stranded at just 138, India’s approach cost them dearly in St Kitts as Obed McCoy ran through the batting order.
McCoy ended up finishing with six wickets as the Men in Blue slumped to a five-wicket defeat. This allowed the side from the Caribbean to restore parity to the series at 1-1.
Despite the result, Rohit stressed on the fact that there is no need to panic. The team is convinced that their current strategy is the right way to move forward. Disappointing results will come their way as the approach falls flat on their faces every once in a while. However, their faith in the strategy of aggressive batting remains resolute.
“Really, really happy with how the bowlers bowled, but of course, there are certain things in our batting that we really need to look at,” Rohit said after the loss.
“But again, I will say that as well: we will continue to bat in that kind of fashion because we want to achieve something. Unless you try and do it, you will not achieve. So, I think, one odd result here and there, we shouldn’t panic. It’s just about giving those guys that clarity, and after one loss we are not trying to change anything,” he added.
