Bowling concerns linger as India eye T20 World Cup history

India’s bowlers have been profligate at times, a concern heading into the final.

Arshdeep Singh’s wide yorkers have become the butt of jokes even within the Indian dressing room.

The normally reticent Abhishek Sharma teased the pacer in the team bus in a video clip shared on social media after the semi-final victory against England.

“Arshdeep ke liye doh keeper chahiye (Arshdeep might need two wicketkeepers),” he said, suggesting that one would remain behind the stumps while another would stand beside him to collect his frequent wides.

The left-arm seamer’s attempt to restrain aggressive batters with wide yorkers has not always worked.

Are Arshdeep Singh’s wide yorkers becoming India’s bowling concern before the final?

When Jacob Bethell went on the offensive at the Wankhede on Thursday, Arshdeep delivered eight such balls, including three successive wides to Will Jacks.

With Varun Chakaravarthy also struggling to impose himself, Jasprit Bumrah has often been left to weather the storm.

None of the bowlers apart from Bumrah, who has gone at an economy of 6.62, have managed to stay close to the seven-run mark.

Varun has been the most expensive in the tournament with 8.85, followed by Arshdeep at 8.53.

The challenge could be stiffer against New Zealand’s explosive top order of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, as well as the hard-hitting Daryl Mitchell.

Length will be crucial if India are to keep them in check.

It was therefore no surprise that bowling coach Morne Morkel devoted much of Saturday evening’s two-hour practice session to the bowlers.

The absence of a Plan B in pressure situations has perhaps contributed to the current crisis.

Has Varun Chakravarthy’s slump become India’s biggest bowling worry before the T20 World Cup final?

Varun’s dip in form has been the most discussed issue. Since the Super 8 stage, the mystery spinner and world’s top-ranked bowler has conceded runs at 11.62 an over while claiming only four wickets.

That slump has brought Kuldeep Yadav into contention as a potential X-factor. The wrist spinner has played only against Pakistan in the tournament but his variations may offer more threat than a finger spinner.

Whether Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav will make such a change in the title decider remains uncertain.

The think tank has tended to give players a long run even during lean phases, raising the question of whether it would risk a change that could backfire.

Why is Suryakumar Yadav backing Varun Chakravarthy despite his recent struggles?

“Everyone gives their best. It’s a collective effort, only then you win,” the India captain said.

“There are 11 players. Everyone won’t have a good day. There will be ups and downs and the rest are there to cover up for their failures... He is the world’s No. 1 bowler, a match-winner,” he added.

Surya also brushed aside talk of the 2023 final, preferring a fresh start without carrying baggage into the decider.

Away from the tactical debates, former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has once again turned to a quirky ritual that fans believe brings luck to the team.

Ahead of the final, the 40-year-old ironed his shirt, continuing a tradition that began during the 2024 edition.

Why does Dinesh Karthik iron his shirt before India’s finals?

Sharing a video on X with the caption, “The shirt’s pressed. The vibes are set. Now it’s over to the boys”, Karthik said, “The Indian team has qualified for the finals. Now players will start practising, analysts will start discussions and planning, but what is my role? Simple. Iron the shirt.”

He started pressing his shirt during the 2024 edition, when India went on to win the final.

He repeated the ritual before the Champions Trophy 2025 final, the Asia Cup 2025 final, and the Women's World Cup 2025 final, each time with India emerging victorious.

The trend has generated a buzz on social media, with fans urging Karthik to iron his shirt even before crucial league games.

The former wicketkeeper-batter, however, insists the ritual is reserved strictly for finals.

Can India script history with a third T20 World Cup title in the final?

"I started doing this as fun, but people started asking me to iron the shirt during the league stage matches. People were asking me to iron the shirt for the West Indies game and then before the semi-final against England," said Karthik.

India head into the final chasing several milestones. A victory would make them the first team to defend a T20 World Cup title, the first host nation to win the tournament and the first side to claim three T20 World Cup crowns.

For New Zealand, the challenge lies in containing India’s formidable batting line-up while finding a way past Jasprit Bumrah’s unerring line and length.

Surya, however, believes the team’s strength lies in its freedom.

“These guys don’t let me talk much in the dressing room... They dictate their terms. So I have seen that when they get the freedom, they become a different character on the ground,” he said.

“I was noticing that when I started leading this team... After that, I understood that nothing will happen by being a big brother or a father. They have to be left alone. Nothing will happen by holding on to their ears. They have to be left free, only then they can give their best.”

Fearless, carefree and motivated, Surya’s group of nonchalant and courageous cricketers now face what could well be their ‘Cup of life’ moment.

(With inputs from ANI)