India tick more boxes in dominant World Cup preparation

With the Indian team on a strong run since the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Gautam Gambhir-Suryakumar Yadav leadership needs to guard against complacency ahead of the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.

After an unbeaten Asia Cup (7-0), they have beaten Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Since January 2025, their record stands at 20 wins against four losses. On Wednesday, they resoundingly defeated South Africa in a lone warm-up fixture at the DY Patil Stadium.

India could not have hoped for better preparation. The recent results have created an aura in opposition camps, and the warm-up game may have reasserted that impression.

Batting first, India posted 240 and restricted South Africa to 210 despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. It was a good outing for the batters, and India may also have found an answer to the crucial sixth bowling option.

With Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya forming the expected core attack, one or two overs from a sixth bowler will be required. Suryakumar Yadav may have found a few options from this encounter.

Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, particularly the latter, gave the captain food for thought with their guile and accuracy. Shivam Dube, the normally preferred choice, conceded 57 in his four overs, though the surface was tough for bowlers. Specialist Anrich Nortje went for as many runs in one fewer over.

"We'll talk about areas we can bowl to batters and how we can plan better. But on this wicket, I think we did a pretty good job. Overall, it was a solid bowling effort, though we'll sit down and discuss how we can improve further," Ishan Kishan said post-match.

Managing dew was another area the team aimed to address, as it could be a game-changing factor during the World Cup. Suryakumar chose to bat first in this game, as well as in the fifth T20I against New Zealand, to understand the potential impact of dew.

The return of Tilak Varma is a significant boost for India heading into the World Cup.

Other takeaways include Varun Chakaravarthy emerging as the preferred spinner over Kuldeep Yadav, and Ishan Kishan displacing Sanju Samson from the top order. Kishan, who batted at No. 3 against New Zealand, adjusted perfectly to the opener's role last night.

His 20-ball 53 was a treat, smashing six sixes with notable confidence. "I think it's about staying in the present, watching the ball and playing the shots that are required. I'm just reacting, watching the ball, and playing accordingly, and that seems to be working well for me," Kishan explained.

Tilak looked fluent too, back at No. 3 after missing the New Zealand series due to surgery. He struck a brisk 19-ball 45 against South Africa.

Hardik Pandya remains the fulcrum of the side, his power-hitting and pace adding heft to both departments. India will hope he remains fit, given his injury history. Shivam Dube would need to step up if required, presenting a challenge for the side.

With the batting in strong form, any target looks achievable, and the team is capable of setting steep ones. The focus now is on adaptability and contingency plans for the knockout stages. The team looks prepared.