India’s bowling strategy in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand has drawn plenty of attention, not just for the results but for the clear shift in thinking ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. At the centre of these discussions is Jasprit Bumrah — India’s most reliable match-winner with the ball — and the growing realisation that managing his workload while building depth around him is crucial for long-term success.
Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel did not shy away from praising Bumrah’s impact, calling him “the best bowler in the world.” However, he was equally candid about the pressure that comes with being India’s go-to option in crunch moments. “There’s always an expectation that he will bowl a magical spell and win the game. That kind of pressure can take its toll,” Morne Morkel said after the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam. In a format where one over can flip a match, Bumrah’s ability to deliver consistently has made him indispensable — and heavily depended upon.
That dependence, however, is something the team management is actively trying to reduce. India have deliberately rotated their bowling attack across the series, resting Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and lead spinner Varun Chakravarthy at different stages.
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According to Morne Morkel, the move goes beyond simple workload management. “We’ve got a handful of bowlers that can bowl in every situation. Part of the thinking for us, leading into the World Cup, was to look at different combinations,” he explained.
The aim is to prevent opposition teams from locking into predictable plans against India’s bowlers. “We don’t want teams to have set plans against us. If teams start to plan against us, they don’t know where we’re going to fit and how we’re going to play our cards,” Morkel added. Giving bowlers exposure in varied roles — powerplay, middle overs and death — is part of helping them grow comfortable under pressure.
Conditions also play a major role in India’s selection calls. With the T20 World Cup set to be played across diverse venues like New Delhi, Mumbai and Colombo, adaptability is key. “Because of the conditions we might face on the day, we’ll go up with different game plans,” Morkel said, underlining the importance of having bowlers suited to different surfaces and match situations.
India’s depth is further strengthened by all-rounders like Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, who provide flexibility in juggling combinations. Their presence allows India to chase wickets aggressively without compromising balance.
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“For us, it’s about getting those bowling partnerships… we want to try and get teams down six, seven, eight wickets by the 15th, 16th over,” MorneMorkel noted. Communication remains central to this approach. Morkel revealed he regularly checks in with Bumrah about plans and workload, using a memorable analogy: “He’s like a Ferrari. If everything is running well, he will perform.” At the same time, players are aware there are no guaranteed spots. “The buy-in for this team is that there’s no guarantee of starting in the 11,” he said.
Ultimately, India’s bowling changes in this T20I series reflect a broader vision — building a flexible, unpredictable attack that can win matches even when Bumrah is rested. It’s a calculated gamble, but one that could pay off when the World Cup pressure peaks.
