Former England skipper Nasser Hussain believes India has played some timid cricket in major ICC events, and thus they haven’t been able to go all the way in the big tournaments. India last won a marquee event back in the 2013 Champions Trophy but they haven’t been able to win the crucial stages of the big matches since then.
Meanwhile, India was not at all at their best in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. India had a sedate batting approach, especially in the PowerPlay overs and it led to their downfall. However, India has made an effort under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma to adopt an aggressive batting template, which has worked well so far.
Hussain feels the Indian team had gone into a shell in the previous T20 World Cup. India could not even go past the Super 12 stage in the last edition after losing against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Thus, there is no doubt that India will need to turn the tables under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, who will be looking to end the trophy drought in the marquee events.
“India’s issues have been ICC events really. They have been going around beating everyone, with a variety of players, they have rotated and rested. But the truth is that they have played some timid cricket in world events like almost gone into their shell. They definitely played some fearful cricket in the last World Cup, especially in the powerplays,” Hussain said in a chat with Sky Sports.
On the other hand, Hussain feels India needs to have the right mindset and bat like the way they have batted in bilateral series.
“India has got to keep the hitting potential. Suryakumar Yadav has been in unbelievable form. They are missing two great cricketers in Jadeja and Bumrah. They have got to keep the same mindset they have had in the bilateral events,” the former captain further added.
India has quality players in their team and they will look to come up with a collective effort in the T20 World Cup.
Team India will begin their World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the MCG on 23rd October.
