India may have finished the T20 World Cup group stage unbeaten, but former India stars Virender Sehwag and Mohit Sharma believe the bowling unit still has questions to answer heading into the Super 8s.
Despite four wins in four games, India’s last game against the Netherlands was a reminder that the margin for error narrows sharply in the knockout stages. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Sehwag pointed out that India have yet to be really tested and that the Super 8s will be a true measure of their bowling resources.
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“I don’t think India have been challenged yet. India struggled a bit in the first match but since then India have been playing consistent cricket. The real test will start in the Super 8. Today India scored 193 but also conceded 176. So India will have to look at their bowling. When we come up against a better batting line-up, how will this bowling unit react?” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, Mohit Sharma highlighted India’s lingering uncertainty about their bowling combination, especially at the death.
“There is still a doubt as to what combination India will go with in the Super 8. If you have an all-rounder like Axar Patel at No. 8, then who can die? If a team like Netherlands can ask questions at the death, then bigger teams come. If Arshdeep is there, you can be a bit flexible at the death because he can play with Bumrah,” CC said
India’s win over the Netherlands ended up being a comfortable one, but the chase turned out to be more competitive than expected. Can they afford to continue with the same approach when tougher opponents come along?
HOW INDIAN BOWLING WAS
India’s bowling came through for the most part in the group stage of the T20 World Cup, but there were times when the attack looked slightly vulnerable, especially in the closing matches. The Netherlands showed that in Ahmedabad as they kept the chase alive deep into the innings despite being 118 for 5 after 15 overs.
Although India eventually won by 17 runs, the Dutch managed 176 and revealed some composure at the death. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side conceded 58 runs in the final five overs, including 18 in the penultimate over, raising eyebrows over their control of the death-overs.
Also, earlier in the tournament, India conceded 132 while defending 161 against USA, showing that the opponents were able to push them in patches.
HARDER TESTS FOR SUPER 8s
India now enters the Super 8s phase where the quality of the opposition will rise sharply. The likes of South Africa, West Indies and struggling Zimbabwe are unlikely to let India off the hook as their group stage opponents have often done.
While the Indian bowlers were merciless against Pakistan and Namibia, winning by 61 and 93 runs, the message from Sehwag and Mohit is clear. The unbeaten run will be of no value unless India can tighten up their bowling plans as the tournament reaches its crucial stretch.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 19, 2026