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India's Opening Woes: Nayar Warns of Off-Spin Threat in T20 WC Powerplay

Former cricketer Abhishek Nayar has raised alarms about India's opening pair, specifically their difficulties facing off-spin bowling during the powerplay overs in the T20 World Cup. He pointed to the poor form of Abhishek Sharma, who has three ducks, and a dip in Ishan Kishan's performance, creating a lack of clarity at the top. Nayar warned that teams like the West Indies could exploit this weakness with bowlers like Roston Chase early in the innings. India's heavy loss to South Africa has further complicated their path to the semi-finals, making their remaining matches crucial.

Key Points: India Openers' Off-Spin Struggle in T20 WC - Nayar Analysis

  • Openers struggle vs off-spin
  • Kishan form dips after good start
  • Abhishek Sharma has three ducks
  • Roston Chase a specific threat
  • Loss to SA tightens semi-final race
3 min read

Abhishek Nayar raises concerns over Indian openers' struggle against off-spin in T20 WC

Abhishek Nayar highlights India's top-order concerns vs off-spin in T20 World Cup powerplay, citing Kishan & Sharma's form. Read more.

"It's going to be a very uncomfortable discussion between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek as to who takes the strike - Abhishek Nayar"

New Delhi, February 23

Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar highlighted concerns around India's opening pair following their struggles in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly against off-spin in the powerplay.

Kishan is India's second-highest run-getter in the ongoing tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 176 runs in five matches at an average of 35.20.

The World No. 1 T20I batter, Abhishek, is having a disastrous run with the bat in the T20 World Cup. In four matches, the left-handed batter has scored just 15 runs. Sharma has three ducks to his name in the ongoing marquee event.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Nayar pointed to the lack of clarity and rhythm at the top of the order, referencing Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.

The former batter explained that off-spinners operating with the new ball can extract variable bounce and subtle deviation, especially when hitting the seam, which makes aggressive stroke play risky in the powerplay overs.

He further cautioned that teams like the West Indies could deploy options such as Roston Chase early in the innings to prepare specific tactical responses.

"It's going to be a very uncomfortable discussion between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek as to who takes the strike because suddenly he has passed the baton of the zeroes to Ishan Kishan, someone who was in prime form. But this is a problem for India. There is definitely going to be a discussion about how they can overcome an off-spinner bowling to them because, keep in mind, when they take on the West Indies as well, Roston Chase is going to bowl in the powerplay to them. So they will want to come back with better plans. With the newer ball, when you hit the seam at times as a finger spinner, you can get that extra bounce, and that's the tricky part. If it's slightly slower in the air, like we saw there, and the ball hits the seam and deviates even a bit, that's enough in T20 cricket to get you out because it creates doubt and can earn you a wicket," Nayar said.

South Africa snapped India's 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

India's loss of 76 runs against South Africa has tightened their qualification scenarios for the semi-finals. The Men in Blue will have to win the remaining two games with a good net run rate to keep their hopes of defending the T20 World Cup alive.

The Men in Blue will face Zimbabwe in their next Super Eight fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's a valid technical concern, but the pressure of a World Cup and being defending champions is also a huge factor. The coaching staff needs to work on their mindset as much as their technique against spin.
V
Vikram M
Abhishek Sharma's form is a real worry. Three ducks in a World Cup for your premier batter is unacceptable. Maybe we should consider promoting someone like Pant to open? He plays spin well. We can't afford another collapse at the top.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, we are overreacting to one loss. Yes, the openers had a bad day. But this is the same team that was on a 12-match winning streak. They have the skill. They just need to back themselves and play their natural game. Have some faith, people!
K
Karthik V
Nayar's analysis is brilliant. The bit about the ball hitting the seam and deviating slightly is so true. In T20s, that small doubt is enough. Our batters need to use their feet more against spin in the powerplay, not just swing hard.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think the focus is too narrow. The entire batting order failed against SA, not just the openers. The middle order couldn't handle the pressure either. It's a team issue, not just a top-order problem.
P

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