Two wins out of two. Top of the group. Pure running speed healthy. On paper, India’s FIFA World Cup T20 2026 campaign is shaping up exactly as the defending champions would have written.
And yet to scratch beneath the surface of those comfortable victories over the USA and Namibiaand disturbing fears emerge. It’s not loud. It didn’t even cost them a game. But with Pakistan next in Colombo, it cannot be ignored.
India vs Pakistan is never routine. The political undertones, sporting rivalries and sheer emotional weight of the fixture mean this is a contest where margins are narrowed and weaknesses are sought. If there are loose threads in India’s game, Pakistan will try to pull them relentlessly.
For the most part, India looked formidable. All-star line-up with cross-department match-winners. Batting depth, bowling flexibility, real all-rounders offering six or seven options with both bat and ball. Add to that the familiar conditions and the defending champions look set for another deep run.
But the spin introduced doubt.
A PATTERN TOO CLEAR TO IGNORE
At the Wankhede, the most spin-friendly surface of the tournament so far, the Indian batsmen let themselves be grafted. In Delhi against Namibia, the discomfort was even more pronounced. Three wickets fell to USA spinners. Five to Namibia.
Gerhard Erasmus with his unorthodox method and the subtle changes in pace did not happen through India. But he disrupted their rhythm. He forced them into predictable patterns. All too often, India looked to hit straight down the ground against turn and mistimed the shots they would normally send with authority.
India still won – and by a convincing margin – largely because the rest of the Namibian attack lacked the discipline to keep up the pressure. More perfect spin attacks won’t be as charitable.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra highlighted the concern over JioHotstar.
“We saw it against spin at Wankhede and also here. Well, the Wankhede pitch has seen the most spin in this tournament but we can’t say anything about that today,” he said.
“No, the bowling was not that good, so India had to consider that if they don’t improve in that over, they may face problems.
The numbers offer some reassurance. Since 2025, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have maintained a strike rate of 140s and 150s against spin. On paper, it suggests fluidity rather than fragility.
However, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson sits at a strike rate of 120-130 parenthesis, a noticeable drop in tempo. In a high-stakes competition where spin could dictate mid-rounds, this slowdown can prove significant.
SOLUTIONS, NOT JUST QUESTIONS
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik offered a more technical assessment.
“When you ask a question like that, which means where do we need to improve if I were a support staff, you have to have a solution as well,” he said. “If you have to be extremely critical, it was getting into stronger positions to play at square leg. They just wanted to hit the ground and they mistimed some.
His recipe was straightforward. “All you can say is you can use more creases and try to use the pace they have.
Most Indian batsmen are more than comfortable playing sweeps, ramps and wheel shots. These are not foreign beats in their repertoire. It’s simply a matter of pulling them out of the locker at the right time – trusting those options, rather than giving up a direct hit when the ball pinches and turns.
The tools are there. The question is whether foreclosures will follow when pressure mounts.
PAKISTAN’S SPIN TRAP AWAITS
Pakistan is unlikely to be forgiving. With Abrar Ahmad, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Usman Tariq, they have a five-man arsenal. On the surface he gripped in Colombo, they may even consider strengthening it further if conditions warrant.
That’s the looming threat. Namibia asked questions. Pakistan will demand answers.
India remains the favorite. Their firepower, depth and experience make them formidable opponents. But big tournaments are rarely won by ignoring minor cracks. Against Pakistan, those cracks can widen quickly.
If India are to stay on course for back-to-back titles, they need to decode the spin now – before Pakistan find a way to twist the knife.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 13, 2026