T20 World Cup 2026: 3 Major concerns for Team India ahead of the Super 8
The Indian team has successfully secured their qualification for the Super 8. The Indian team was at the top of the points table of Group A and remained undefeated. They easily defeated the United States of America, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands in their group stage matches. Now, Suryakumar Yadav & co. will play their first Super 8 match against South Africa. After this, India will face Zimbabwe and then the West Indies.
Although the Indian team easily won all of their group stage matches, Team India also faced some major challenges along the way, the consequences of which could cost India in the next round. If India wants to repeat history, the Indian team will have to overcome these challenges in the Super 8. In this article, we will explore three major challenges that could stop India's progress in the Super 8.
1. Abhishek Sharma’s dip in form
The biggest concern at the moment for the Indian team is Abhishek Sharma’s current form. In the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek Sharma is still waiting for his first run. So far, he was dismissed on duck in all three innings. Due to Abhishek's early dismissal, Team India comes under pressure right from the beginning, and the rest of the batters are not able to play their natural game in an attempt to handle the team.
2. Middle-over boundary troubles, collapses & weak finish
It has been seen many times in this tournament that after an initial struggle, when Team India takes control of the situation, then suddenly by losing 2-3 wickets, it releases all the momentum, due to which Team India is not able to finish well. Against Namibia, India scored 120 runs in 10 overs with the loss of only 2 wickets, despite India finishing 209/9. Then, against Pakistan, India was 92/2 in the first 10 overs, despite India finishing on 175. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav both played anchor at the same time, which caused the Indian team not to seem to play like their reputation.
3. No early breakthroughs
In the previous edition of the tournament, in 2024, Arshdeep Singh was the highest wicket-taker, with 17 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah also took 15 wickets. So far, they both are going economically, but their wicket tally does not look impressive. Arshdeep Singh took only 3 wickets at an economy rate of 7.6, while Jasprit Bumrah took only 4 wickets with an economy rate of 6. Especially Arshdeep Singh, who has proved to be a bit expensive in the initial overs in some matches, but has improved his economy rate by making a comeback in the last overs.
