India has secured a place in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Although the team is advancing, they have yet to display their best performance. Earlier, they struggled at 77/6 against the USA but managed to post 209 runs after a solid recovery against Namibia, where they reached 120/2 after 10 overs. Ishan Kishan was the standout performer against Pakistan.
India won all the matches played, showcasing both skill and a strong talent pool. However, fans are looking for more dominant performances, and the team has not fully met these expectations yet.
The challenge is becoming more intense. The USA and Namibia, whom India defeated, are unlikely to progress further. In the next stage, India will be in Group A, competing against West Indies, South Africa, and either Australia or Zimbabwe, which means tougher competition ahead.
The upcoming match against the Netherlands is important for assessing player readiness. Since it has little bearing on qualification, it’s a perfect chance to test new strategies. It might be wise to rest Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for this game. Bumrah missed the last match due to fever, while Pandya has played all three games. Both players proved crucial during the match against Pakistan.
If Bumrah doesn’t play, Mohammed Siraj is expected to step in. He performed well against the USA, but the Ahmedabad pitch has favored batters throughout the tournament. This match will give a clear picture of Siraj’s capabilities and the overall strength of India’s bowling lineup.
Without Pandya, there will be chances for others to take part. Shivam Dube could lead the bowling attack as he did during the 2025 Asia Cup final. It would be beneficial for Dube to complete his four overs to gauge his performance against quality competition.
Additionally, Rinku Singh and Axar Patel will likely get more opportunities. The team may also consider bringing back Washington Sundar from injury. Varun Chakaravarthy, who has played every match so far, might be rested in that case.
