India’s former bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, praised the team’s well-rounded capabilities and the effective fast-bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup. The trio of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube has provided depth and balance to the team since their 2024 victory, contributing significantly in both batting and bowling departments.
Hardik Pandya has been impactful post-2024, scoring 579 runs and taking 21 wickets in 29 T20Is. Axar Patel, on the other hand, has made 233 runs and claimed 28 wickets in 27 matches during the same period. Mhambrey highlighted the importance of having both seaming and spin options in the team, with Pandya and Axar excelling in their roles.
Shivam Dube has emerged as a valuable six-hitting option, scoring 347 runs and taking 18 wickets in 26 matches. Mhambrey praised Dube’s ability to provide breakthroughs unexpectedly, adding depth to the bowling attack. The coach expressed confidence in Dube’s consistency and highlighted the importance of having such options available in the team.
The fast bowling department, led by Bumrah and Arshdeep, has been a key strength for India. Bumrah, the Player of the Tournament in the 2024 World Cup, has taken 18 wickets at an economy of 7.7 since then. Arshdeep has been equally effective with 39 wickets in 23 innings, showcasing his prowess in T20Is. Mhambrey commended the duo for complementing each other well and handling pressure effectively in matches.
Mhambrey emphasized the importance of managing key players’ workload like Bumrah and Pandya but expressed confidence in their availability for every World Cup match. He lauded their value to the team and expected them to play crucial roles throughout the tournament, highlighting the need for momentum and consistency in performance.
