Delhi: The weakness of Indian batsmen against right-arm off-spin is a matter of concern. So far in this World Cup, such bowlers have taken 12 wickets for India, especially Gerhard Erasmus, Aryan Dutt, Salman Ali Aga and Aiden Markram. India’s average against such off-spin is less than 12. Zimbabwe can also take advantage of this record because they have Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett as finger spinners. So in such a situation, should India continue its strategy of keeping 3 batsmen in the top order? Or should a right-handed batsman play at 3?

Till now India probably has not been able to make any successful policy on playing finger spin. By not taking any decision on this, you will become more cautious than necessary and it will lead to further problems.

The second biggest drawback is that the batsmen do not know how to switch? The 2024 T20 World Cup final is the biggest answer to this. Virat Kohli scored 16 runs in the first 5 balls in the final and it was clearly visible with what intention he had come today. Then Surya and Rohit lost their wickets and immediately Virat had to switch and now he became the anchor. Coming to the pitch with a fixed mindset and not adjusting to the situation is becoming the biggest mistake of this team. Tilak, Sky and Abhishek all three are failing miserably on this front.

Both these intentions are being tested today at Chepauk. For a long time, Chepauk was famous as a ground supporting spinners in T20. Chepauk has shown a changed scene in this World Cup. It has been the best batting ground of the tournament in both average and strike rate, while for spin bowlers, it has been one of the three worst in both average and strike rate. The fast bowlers have struggled here, neither getting wickets nor stopping runs. Note that this change did not happen just like that. The outfield was rebuilt after IPL 2025 and no more matches were played in this stadium even in the 2025–26 domestic season. The same pitch has been marked for the match on which New Zealand chased 183 runs in just 17.5 overs against Afghanistan.

Team India will have to look at its record and take inspiration from it. Since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, they have won 31 out of 41 matches between the two World Cups and have scored three of the 11 highest team scores in the format. Had won 17 consecutive matches but this streak was broken against South Africa and suddenly India lost the confidence of even reaching the semi-finals of its home World Cup.

There is no doubt that Zimbabwe has impressed and that is why they have reached the stage of playing this match. His success has sparked a new debate on player valuation in the IPL ecosystem. Blessing Muzarabani, who took 9 wickets in 3 matches and was responsible for the match-winning spell against Australia, is the best example of this. Had the IPL auction been held after the World Cup, and considering the way Muzarabani has been bowling, he would have proved to be a bowler worth at least Rs 20 crore.

Team India has to win the World Cup and the support of the entire country is with them.

fun fact: :

* These two teams had played each other only once before in the T20 World Cup, in Melbourne in 2022. Then India won with Suryakumar Yadav’s 61* in 25 balls.

* Zimbabwe has never played a T20 International against India in India. The last ODI out of 24 Internationals (5 Tests and 19 ODIs) between the two teams in India was played in March 2002.

The post India has to win the World Cup, Day 20: Match with Zimbabwe is a test of experience and ability to withstand pressure for Team India appeared first on Read Hindi.