As India march into the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with an unbeaten record, former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has provided a detailed assessment of the defending champions’ form, highlighting both concerns and encouraging signs ahead of their crucial clash against South Africa on February 22 . Through his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin has offered nuanced insights into the team’s performances, selection dilemmas, and the challenges that await in the tournament’s decisive phase.
India’s perfect record: The good, the bad and the unconvincing
India completed the group stage with four comprehensive victories, topping Group A with wins against the USA, Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands . However, Ashwin believes the team hasn’t yet fired on all cylinders, particularly with the bat. Following the 17-run victory over the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18, he described India’s batting performance as “below par” despite the win.
“India wasn’t extremely good today with the bat, not extremely efficient. But it is such a solid team that even on an ordinary day, they can put you away. They were below par, not at their best,” Ashwin observed . This assessment carries weight given India’s reputation as tournament favourites and the high standards they’ve set since their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.
Abhishek Sharma’s form: The elephant in the room
The most significant concern heading into the Super 8s is opener Abhishek Sharma’s disastrous run of form. The left-hander has registered three consecutive ducks in the tournament, becoming the first Indian opener to achieve this unwanted milestone in T20 World Cup history . Against the Netherlands, he was bowled by off-spinner Aryan Dutt, continuing a worrying pattern.
Despite these failures, Ashwin has strongly advocated for patience, insisting that dropping Abhishek would be a mistake. “This is Abhishek’s game. It happens. He was not well either. He has scored runs, it’s not like that. Not like you will remove him from the team now. When he is on song, he wins games for India within the powerplay,” he stated.
Ashwin has identified a clear tactical pattern that opposition teams are exploiting against Abhishek. Off-spinners are being deployed early in his innings, bowling tight lines that restrict his ability to free his arms and clear his front foot for big swings.
“Abhishek clears his front foot and tries to swing. So an off-spinner bowling has become a trend now. When we played RR vs SRH as well, I bowled 3 consecutive overs and did not go for many. He had to get out but narrowly escaped. It is becoming a trend. They are trying to bowl tight lines. Because it is closer, it is not in his range,” Ashwin explained .
The veteran spinner remains confident this is not a technical flaw but a temporary rough patch. “It is not a technical glitch. Abhishek used to play like this always. But this can play on your head. But I really hope he gets some runs, and he has to come good. He has got three nots on the trot, but that doesn’t change how lethal a batter he is in T20 cricket,” he added.
Batting depth: India’s greatest strength
Despite concerns about top-order consistency, Ashwin highlighted India’s extraordinary batting depth as a crucial advantage. Against the Netherlands, when Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma struggled to accelerate, the middle order absorbed the pressure and delivered .
“Surya played a very diligent knock. For the acceleration point, Dube, Hardik, and Rinku were there. They knew they could catch up on the scoring rate,” Ashwin noted, praising captain Suryakumar Yadav’s responsible approach.
The platform provided by Shivam Dube’s 66 off 31 balls and Hardik Pandya’s cameo ensured India reached a competitive total, demonstrating that even on an off day, this batting unit possesses remarkable resilience.
Tilak Varma’s role: Timing over power
One of the more subtle points Ashwin raised was the importance of recognising different batting styles within the lineup. Tilak Varma, returning from injury, has faced criticism for not matching the power-hitting of his teammates. Ashwin offered a nuanced defense.
“Tilak Varma is coming back after an injury. We talk about power and strength, but also the sweet spot and timing as the basic essence of batting. Tilak is not a big power hitter. For him, timing and the sweet spot are most important. Please remember you can play like Vaibhav, but you can also play like Tilak, who relies on timing and picks the gaps,” he explained.
This insight reflects the tactical flexibility India possesses – the ability to adapt approaches based on match situations rather than adhering rigidly to a power-hitting template.
Bowling strength: The unsung hero
While batting concerns dominate discussions, India’s bowling attack has been consistently outstanding throughout the group stage. The return of Kuldeep Yadav has added variety to a spin department already boasting Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel.
Kuldeep is on the verge of becoming India’s highest wicket-taking spinner in T20Is, needing just two wickets to surpass Yuzvendra Chahal’s tally of 96 . His ability to extract turn and bounce even on flat surfaces makes him a potent weapon in the Super 8s, where matches will be played on diverse Indian pitches.
Jasprit Bumrah’s precision and Hardik Pandya’s incisive medium-pace complete a well-rounded attack that Ashwin believes can defend any total.
India’s fixtures in the Super 8 round
India’s Super 8 campaign begins with a blockbuster encounter against South Africa on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. They will then face Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26 before concluding the group stage against the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
