Mirpur: India have surprised at the World Twenty20 not only by their success but in that they are being led by their spinners. India came to Bangladesh with little recent success in one-day internationals and having played only one T20 since December 2012.
Yet, only they and Sri Lanka are unbeaten after winning their first two games, and India’s spinners rather one of their robust batsmen have been match-winners. Legspinner Amit Mishra grabbed 2 for 22 against Pakistan and 2 for 18 against the West Indies to take both man-of-the-match awards.
The track at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium has helped spin, and since the venue will host all the knockout matches, captains have a lot of strategising to do in the coming days.
“As far as the bowling is concerned, I am really happy to see how our spinners are bowling,” India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after his team’s second win. “Yes, there is a bit of help for them but at the same time, you have to execute your plans well, especially in this format.”
Mishra, who has three hat tricks in the Indian Premier League but has not enjoyed a long run in international cricket, justified Dhoni’s decision to play an extra spinner. “My captain has been really supportive and been telling me that I will only do better as the tournament progresses,” Mishra said. “He has given me the freedom to attack, to toss the bowl up as I like to do.”
India’s spinners have so far bagged 12 wickets and the pacemen five, turning around their perceived weak bowling attack which has restricted the opposition to 129 and 130 in its first two games. The tournament has also seen a host of spinners open the bowling including West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree and Pakistan left-armer Zulfiqar Babar.
Badree grabbed 4 for 15 against Bangladesh on Tuesday while Babar took 2 for 26 with the new ball in Pakistan’s 16-run win over Australia on Sunday. Australia opener Aaron Finch said ahead of Friday’s match against the West Indies that playing spin was a challenge, especially the prospect of facing someone like Badree early on.
“Badree has opened the bowling for them for a few games now,” Finch said. “He is an interesting bowler. He bowls a great length. He is someone who is hard to hit down the ground and it is a bit of a risk if you go across the line.” Finch said even the more familiar spinners on the circuit need to be watched out for.
“A lot of us have played (West Indies’) Sunil Narine in the Big Bash and in the IPL. Having faced him quite a bit, we are going to have our plans,” Finch added. “He is still a quality bowler. He spins it both ways. Anyone who does that is going to present a challenge.”
While spinners have won matches in the tournament, their lack of success has impacted games, too. When Brad Hogg did not get wickets, Australia lost to Pakistan; when Saeed Ajmal or Narine did not make inroads, India won with ease.
Ajmal, Narine still have time and games. The tournament took a break on Wednesday, and will resume on Thursday with South Africa-Netherlands, and Sri Lanka-England.