Ben Duckett playfully suggested that India’s Test team had been inspired by Bazball earlier this year. As England’s white-ball team prepares to face India in the second semi-final of the men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday at Providence Stadium, Guyana, it’s clear that England’s influence on India’s strategy over the past two years has been significant.
In a scenario reminiscent of 2022, England narrowly made it to the knockouts before securing a dominating 10-wicket victory over India in Adelaide. Moeen Ali, recalling that victory, noted how England excelled with the bat, as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales chased down a target of 169 with four overs to spare. Ali also highlighted that England’s performance was set up by their bowling, restricting India to a sub-par 168 for six. Rohit Sharma’s slow 27 off 28 balls in the power play exemplified India’s outdated approach, which was later criticised by Sharma himself for their bowlers’ inability to stop England’s charge.
Since that match, under Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, India has adopted a more aggressive and collective approach, valuing their wickets higher and increasing their aggression. This change was evident during the 50-over World Cup last winter, where Sharma aggressively tackled the new ball before India’s eventual defeat to Australia in the final.
India began this T20 World Cup on the challenging drop-in pitch at Long Island but maintained increased selflessness throughout their unbeaten run. Virat Kohli, despite low scores, and Suryakumar Yadav have embraced this new approach. The strategy was exemplified during their Super Eight victory over Bangladesh in Antigua, where they amassed 196 for five with contributions from multiple batsmen, rather than relying on one or two major innings. Ravichandran Ashwin, watching from afar, praised this new approach on his X account, highlighting the team’s collective intent.
Ashwin continued his praise after India’s demolition of Australia in St Lucia, commending Sharma’s aggressive batting. Sharma’s 92 off 41 balls, featuring eight sixes, indicated a significant shift in mindset. Moeen Ali acknowledged Sharma as a world-class player, pinpointing that in T20 cricket, even the best players aren’t guaranteed runs every time.
Despite the dominance of seamers on the American mainland during the group stage, England anticipates spinners will play a crucial role in the semi-final at Providence Stadium. India’s squad, knowing they would play in Guyana, includes three-star spinners: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal available if conditions favour spin.
India’s standout performer has been Jasprit Bumrah, whose impressive statistics include more wickets (11) than boundaries conceded (nine) in their first six games. His economy rate of 4.08 has effectively reduced the matches to 16 overs for the opponents, giving India a significant advantage. Bumrah’s remarkable performance, including getting revenge on Travis Head with a slower ball, underscores his impact.
Adding to the stakes is India’s sense of unfinished business after their loss in Ahmedabad last November. Jay Shah, secretary of India’s cricket board, vowed in February that Sharma’s team would redeem themselves in this tournament. His declaration of “Hum Bharat ka jhanda gadenge” (“We will hoist India’s flag”) underscores the pressure and expectations on the Indian team.
As England’s T20 side prepares to face a revitalised Indian team, they must reckon with the possibility that their previous influence may have inadvertently strengthened their opponents. Four months after Duckett’s remark about Bazball, England is about to face the consequences of their own impact on India’s strategy.