Former England captain Nasser Hussain has shared his views on India’s repeated setbacks in major tournaments despite boasting a dominant record in bilateral series as well. The Indian team last won an ICC tournament in 2013 in the form of the Champions Trophy and are in search of a title since then. However, India suffered their first group-stage exit from an ICC event for the first time in nine years after failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year as well. They were slammed for playing rather conservatively in an era where aggressive cricket has been the norm now as well.
Hussain said in an interaction with Sky Sports Cricket: “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.”
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Opining that India have to approach the World Cup with the way they employed in their bilateral campaigns, Hussain added: “India have 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. At the start of T20 cricket, everyone talked about how there is no need to worry about No.7, they’ll probably get like seven balls to face, so might as well play the extra bowler.”
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“But actually, if you have a solid No.7, then it means that your top six can absolutely go for it. That has been an issue for India, they don’t have enough all-rounders and Pakistan as well. Babar and Rizwan are so worried about the depth of their batting, so 20 overs becomes a very long time,” Nasser Hussain concluded.
Team India will open their T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
