Former India spinner R. Ashwin analyzed the Indian team's batting in their final group stage game in the T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands. He rated India’s batting below par despite India ending the group stage with a 17-run win.
As the tournament advances to the Super 8s, there is still an opportunity for development because, despite the perfect record, the Indian batting lineup has not yet fully clicked and demonstrated its dominant form.
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, in particular, struggled to accelerate, striking at speeds below 125 during their stints. However, the bowlers delivered when it counted, defending the score with discipline to secure a comfortable victory.
R. Ashwin reflected on India’s performance and stated that the batting wasn’t at its fluent best. He added that Suryakumar Yadav battled with caution, and India was allowed to do so because of its batting depth.
"Surya played a very diligent knock. For the acceleration point, Dube, Hardik, and Rinku were there. They knew they could catch up on the scoring rate. But India wasn't extremely good today with the bat, not extremely efficient. But it is such a solid team that even on an ordinary day, they can put you away. They were below par, not at their best," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.
Ashwin also commented on Tilak Varma's strategy, emphasizing that heavy hitting isn't the only way to be effective in T20 cricket and that the young player, who is recovering from an injury, depends more on timing and placement than force.
“Tilak Varma is coming back after an injury. We talk about power and strength, but also the sweet spot and timing as the basic essence of batting. Tilak is not a big power hitter. For him, timing and the sweet spot are most important. Please remember you can play like Vaibhav, but you can also play like Tilak, who relies on timing and picks the gaps,” he added.
India has been grouped with South Africa, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe in the Super 8s stage. India will face South Africa on February 22 in Ahmedabad in their first assignment. They then travel south to Chennai for their next assignment against Zimbabwe before concluding the stage in Kolkata with a high-profile match against the West Indies.
