It is no longer like the old Indian T20 team. This new team headed by Suryakumar Yadav enters quietly without making a noise nor panicking but with a belief that they will find a way to win.
The said attitude was fully expressed in the case of Gold coast where India made its own seemingly ordinary score to a resounding victory over Australia. It was not domination at the very first ball. It was control, the attribute which now characterizes the white-ball cricket of India.
From Pressure to Poise
Australia got off well in their pursuit. Openers Matt Short and Mitch Marsh appeared at ease and the crowd grew louder and the target now appeared so much attainable.
Suryakumar Yadav did not flinch, however, out of the dugout. He was neither an animated, nor anxious being. Rather, he continued to spin his bowlers, move his fielders, and put the game back in his direction.
That self-control started to disperse. India started to squeeze as soon as Short was ousted by Axar Patel. Soon, Axar took up Josh Inglis as well two swift blows that shook the rhythm of Australia and made it reconsider their pursuit.
Smart Moves, Not Flashy Ones
As the initial stage of bowling in India was of control, the middle overs were of courage.
Not many people could have anticipated much when Shivam Dube received the ball. But the medium-pacer had the major wicket of Mitch Marsh almost immediately. The change of mood at that dismissal was of defence to pursuit.
Then followed another wit switch. Arshdeep Singh came back to the 14th over and got rid of Josh Philippe. It was his first match in the series and Varun Chakravarthy caught Glenn Maxwell in front of him. Every change was clockwork, like they had planned it ahead of time, concerning all possibilities.
Washington Sundar, who had not been bowling to the 17th over, struck the last fatal blow. He came in with the asking rate at 14, removed Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett with successive balls. That killed off the prospects of Australia.
Building Wins Differently
The batting strategy used by India during the earlier stages of the game was also not such.
Shivam Dube was brought in at No.3, Jitesh Sharma scored more than his expected position and Shubman Gill scored steadily with a timed 46 of 39 balls. It was not a conventional high-scoring T20 innings but it suited the pitch and condition perfectly.
The flexibility in batting as well as bowling demonstrated how much India T20 structure has changed. Each player realizes their role – and is willing to change.
The SKY Effect
India appears to have found a way to structure the freedom under Suryakumar Yadav. There is no panicking, no excessive thinking and dependency on a single superstar. The bowlers back each other. The batters adapt. The captain believes in instinct over numbers – and that is turning out to be the biggest strength of India.
This side is complete even without Hardik Pandya and some of its regulars. They are confident in playing like champions of the world, but with the appetite of underdogs.
India began leading in the five match series against England by 2-1 but it was not just another victory. It was the word, that this team can win everywhere, in all conditions and even out of almost everything.
