India came to England after a shock 0-2 defeat in Ireland. While a small sample, there were naturally questions that continue to linger even after the first game in England.
Do India have enough finishers?
They do when Hardik Pandya, arguably India’s T20I MVP, plays, but he is not playing. Nitish Kumar Reddy, the closest to Pandya’s like-for-like replacement in the country, had a terrific IPL but is now out injured as well.
That left India with the unenviable challenge of filling two roles. They got Washington Sundar for the first T20I in Ireland but could give him only one over against a batting lineup dominated by right-handers. He went for 19 and, as his sub-130 strike rate suggests, he is not really a power-hitter.
For the second, they got Suryansh Shedge, a bona-fide down-the-order hitter. He bowls seam, which would have made him an ideal fit, but he has bowled only 1.2 overs a game in his T20 career. Picking him would thin the bowling attack.
At Chester-le-Street, India discarded that role and picked an extra spinner. Harshit Rana batted at seven. Had it not been for the inimitable Shivam Dube, India would not have reached 189-7.
The absence of a finisher who can be entrusted to bowl four (or at least three) overs has created an imbalance in this Indian T20I XI. One of the finest contemporary T20I all-rounders, Axar Patel is not quite the death-over biffer either.
This will be resolved when Pandya returns, but it is not clear when that will happen. Until then, India may have to over-rely on Dube at the death. Remember, there is no Rinku Singh.
The Tilak Varma conundrum
India playing one finisher fewer than usual makes the No.5 Tilak’s role even more vital. Unfortunately, he strikes at 125 against spin in T20Is and 137 in the IPL, a significantly higher-scoring arena than T20Is.
Both numbers are below par – especially if one considers that at five, he is likely to face spin first up and more of it through his innings. India have indicated that they do not like slowing down.
Tilak’s recent elevation to T20I vice-captain does not necessarily grant him immunity. The Indian selectors have demonstrated a streak of ruthlessness one associates with the best sides. They dropped vice-captain Shubman Gill ahead of the World Cup. From the world champion side, they dropped captain Suryakumar Yadav before the next game in the format, and sacked vice-captain Axar.
Tilak will get some immunity, but he will have to find a way against spin. There is no way back to No.3 for him: there are already too many world-class players there, both in the XI and in the reserves.
Who is the backup seamer?
When he plays, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the Indian attack, while Arshdeep Singh will partner him. That much is known. Harshit Rana’s batting skills make him a very good candidate.
But who is next in the pecking order? Mohammed Siraj fits the bill, but he is not part of this tour. Prasidh Krishna (six T20Is) and Prince Yadav (one) picked up 16 wickets each in the 2026 IPL. In Bumrah’s absence, India will turn to one of them if conditions do not assist spin. Both got a chance in Ireland.
But which one? In the IPL, Prince opened bowling eight times and came on first-change five times. He thrived with the new ball. Prasidh, on the other hand, often bowled in the middle overs or at the death.
It is, thus, likely to come down to the role. India have shown inclination to open bowling with Arshdeep and Rana. Prince, thus, is unlikely to get the new ball. In that case, Prasidh may be the likelier option until Bumrah (or Siraj) returns.
Does Sooryavanshi play at all?
The build-up is palpable and so has been the collective impatience. If India have picked Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad, surely it is a matter of when (and not whether) he would debut.
Captain Shreyas Iyer and batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate have both hinted that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his debut. They have emphasised that they would back Sanju Samson (the likeliest candidate to be replaced) for some time. Sooryavanshi will have to wait, though a cap on this tour cannot be ruled out.
While it is important that the team management backs their tried-and-tested senior cricketers, it is just as crucial that the pressure of the long wait does not get to Sooryavanshi. The BCCI have taken a wonderful initiative by sending his parents along with him to help absorb the pressure on a teenage mind. The squad members need to play their part as well.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
