The T20 World Cup 2026 has moved into the business end now, with all the Super 8 spots decided. India is pitted against the likes of South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe, who have been excellent in the tournament so far. But India, despite winning all their matches in the league stages, have had their share of struggle.
India’s woes against finger-spin apparent
Spin has created issues in every match they have played. In the USA match, it was Harmeet Singh and Mohsin. Then vs Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus returned with figures of 4/20; Usman Tariq and Saim Ayub proved to be handful in the Pakistan match, and Aryan Dutt exposed the ‘weakness’ again in the Netherlands match.
Now, India face South Africa in their first Super 8 battle in Ahmedabad, and the Proteas too will look to exploit the lef-handed-heavy order, with off spin. Aiden Markram, the skipper is more than capable of delivering, and was seen in full swing, with the ball in his hand, on Friday.
Markram & Stubbs to take charge vs India
As per a report in RevSportz, Albie Morkel designed a precise training session, which would help the team, and Markram target the Indian left-handers. Four target zones were identified, and even Tristan Stubbs was made to hit those spots, repeatedly. That drill then extended to Keshav Maharaj and George Linde as well.
That perhaps also is the right way to go. The Indian side has faced 42 overs of spin in the T20 World Cup, where only 315 runs have come at a run-rate of over 7. In the process they have lost 15 wickets too. The strike-rate in overs 7-10 is a miserable 106. 41% of the deliveries are dots, and a boundary comes only 8.5 balls.
Moreover, the South African side has a bit of an advantage coming into the match, having played three encounters in Ahmedabad already.
