India started their T20 World Cup journey with a tough victory, but their match against the USA revealed some issues. Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team to view this close call as a reminder, with bigger challenges ahead in the tournament.
The former India captain pointed out that although India defended a total of 161 runs, the early batting collapse and jitters serve as a warning to stay alert during the World Cup. In his analysis on Star Sports, Gavaskar stressed the need for India to improve their batting strategies, despite having a strong batting lineup.
“I think 160 wasn’t an easy total. They managed to defend it with a lead of 30 runs, which is significant. There’s a lot to learn from this, especially the batting depth,” Gavaskar stated.
“However, if you have eight batters and your bowlers come in at positions 9, 10, and 11, losing four wickets in the first 7-8 overs will put you in a tough spot, especially against stronger teams with more World Cup and T20 experience,” he added.
Gavaskar’s key point was that while having a deep batting lineup is advantageous, it shouldn’t excuse careless play during the power play. The early collapse could have serious implications as the tournament continues.
“Yes, there’s a six-over powerplay, but losing four wickets during that time is not ideal, as it puts you at risk,” he advised.
“It’s important to remember that in world events, every team raises their game, as these competitions are rare,” he concluded.
