There are, quite clearly, some outstanding batting units going into this T20 World Cup. While there is still some uncertainty around how the wickets will play, the timing of the event in India is significant. Coming out of the winter, pitches are generally not as abrasive as they tend to become later in the season. They are fresher, less worn, and not as tired, which usually means there is less assistance for spinners, cutters, and bowlers who rely on the surface gripping or holding. As a result, the wickets are expected to be a little flatter than they might be a couple of months down the line.
Because of that, big scores are anticipated. Batters are likely to enjoy the conditions, and bowlers will be under immense pressure throughout the tournament. Over the next month, the challenge for bowling units will be to figure out exactly what they need to do with the ball to try and restrict high-quality batters, especially on relatively small grounds in some cases. That, for me, is the central theme.
Conditions will not be uniform everywhere. In Colombo, for example, the expectation is that things could be slightly different. The ball may turn a bit more, the surface might be more abrasive, and there could be more in it for the bowlers overall. However, in India, the emphasis will be firmly on how bowlers adapt and find ways to remain effective on flatter pitches that favour batting.
From a broader perspective, this tournament is likely to come down to which bowling units can restrict batting sides, particularly in terms of limiting sixes. Boundaries are inevitable in modern T20 cricket, and fours will be scored regularly. However, there is a significant difference at the end of an innings when you look at the additional two runs that come from a six compared to a four. Those margins add up quickly. The key question, therefore, is how bowlers can reduce the number of sixes conceded to opposition batting line-ups.
There will, as always, be plenty of discussion around variation, slower balls, and similar tactics that have been talked about for years. Personally, when watching games, the focus is not so much on the contrast between a slower ball and a quicker one. What is far more interesting is the ability of a pace bowler to constantly vary their pace. Not just switching from one speed to another and then back again, but maintaining continual variation throughout an over or spell.
As someone who has played the game, I feel the most difficult thing to face when trying to hit fours and sixes is constant change in pace. When the speed of the ball is continually altered, it becomes very hard for a batter to set themselves. Timing depends heavily on being able to judge the ball from the point of release to the moment of contact. If that timing window is constantly shifting, it makes the batter’s job significantly more difficult. That is why the ability to vary pace consistently is such a crucial skill.
Alongside that, spinners are equally important. Yorkers are a given in modern T20 cricket; bowlers at this level have to be able to execute them. But for spinners, especially under pressure, the question is who can go underneath the bat. Which spinners can bowl full enough, flat enough, and accurately enough to prevent the batter from getting the elevation required to hit a six? These are the kinds of skills that become decisive when batters are in full flow and pushing the game forward aggressively. I also think spinners could have a bigger role to play at the end of an innings in this tournament.
At the start of the innings, we often see pace bowlers persist with bowling a length, even when they are being hit out of the park. There is a tendency to delay tactical adjustments. If a bowler is under pressure and conceding boundaries from a length, the question has to be asked: why not go straight to the yorker? Why not place two fielders out during the first six overs, set them at long-on and long-off, and bowl as straight and as full as possible? This approach is not seen as often as it might be expected, and it represents another small tactical area that bowlers could potentially improve.
There will undoubtedly be enormous pressure on bowlers throughout the competition. They have had time to think, analyse, and prepare. Bowling coaches and leading bowlers will all be asking the same question: are we going to see anything different in this T20 World Cup? Batting continues to evolve rapidly, with new shots, new strategies, and increasing power. The evolution of bowling now needs to catch up. That evolution could well determine where this tournament is won and lost.
Looking at the teams, there are clearly several outstanding sides. India, for instance, stand out. For me, there is no better side going into this tournament, and they are deservedly strong favourites. The obvious concern is the pressure and expectation that comes with playing at home, backed by an incredibly passionate and expectant support base. However, this is something Indian players live with constantly, so it is difficult to see that pressure having a major negative impact. They appear to have most areas covered, though questions remain around who bats at seven and eight, and how they ultimately balance their bowling and batting combination.
India come into the tournament in excellent form. Since winning the title two years ago, they have won more games than anyone else. They are a strong side, in good rhythm, and will be very hard to beat.
Australia, on the other hand, look slightly different this time around. With Josh Hazlewood unavailable and no Pat Cummins, they do not appear quite as strong on paper as they have in previous tournaments. That said, Australia are renowned as a strong tournament side, and that quality still counts heavily in their favour. They may not have the same aura they once did, but they remain a dangerous proposition.
England enter the tournament in good form after playing in Sri Lanka and achieving positive results. Mentally, they seem to have turned things around following a difficult winter, including the Ashes. However, their specialist bowling will be tested significantly. Adil Rashid in the middle overs will be key, and while England have several batters who can bowl, many of those options would be considered part-time on flat surfaces. That could present a challenge worth monitoring closely. From a batting perspective, I feel Harry Brook and Jos Buttler need to bat in the top four. Brook, in particular, has often been batting too low, and Buttler, for me, needs to open.
South Africa are another side firmly in contention. Their main task will be managing their fast bowlers, who are highly skilled. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and others are outstanding operators, but the pitches may not suit them ideally. Ahmedabad could offer some assistance, particularly as South Africa play several group matches there, but beyond that, their fast bowlers will need to be exceptionally skilful to succeed.
The associate nations are also likely to produce some surprises. The development of their game has been progressing steadily, with increasing levels of support. What will be particularly encouraging to see is strong body language from these teams throughout the tournament. Even if results do not go their way, competitiveness, belief, and visible fight will be key.
I am also quite excited to see how Afghanistan go in the competition. They are a strong side, who should not be discounted. Pakistan are another team that stand out, particularly because of the depth and quality of their spin bowling. Abrar is clearly in good form, while Mohammed Nawaz is someone I really like and who is capable of opening the bowling if required. Shadab Khan has returned to the set-up, and they also have options like Saim Ayub and Usman Tariq.
With matches being played in Sri Lanka, Pakistan could find conditions that suit them a little more than others. For that reason alone, they should not be discounted. They are very much one of several sides who will be firmly in the mix as the tournament progresses.
Ultimately, the recurring theme of this World Cup remains the same: bowlers. How they adapt, innovate, and find ways to restrict powerful batting line-ups will decide the fate of this tournament.
