No room for slip-ups for India

The Super Eights Group 1 of the ongoing T20 World Cup is set for a significant shape-up today, with defending champions India taking on surprise package Zimbabwe in Chennai and two in-form sides -- South Africa and the West Indies -- clashing in Ahmedabad.

The Proteas and the Windies will take the field in the day’s first game. India will be hoping that the Aiden Markram-led South Africa prevail, as that would allow them to keep their semifinal fate largely in their own hands by winning both of their remaining Super Eight fixtures, including today’s encounter.

On the contrary, Zimbabwe will be rooting for a West Indies victory, as that would further strengthen their chances of reaching the semifinals in what has already been an incredible World Cup campaign.

India suffered a 76-run hammering at the hands of South Africa in their first Super Eight fixture, a defeat that dented their net run-rate to -3.800. While both South Africa and the West Indies have won their opening Super Eight matches, a Proteas slip-up today could further complicate matters for India.

In that scenario, apart from winning all their remaining Super Eight games, India would also need Zimbabwe to beat South Africa -- a statistically unlikely outcome, even though the lower-ranked Zimbabwe have already come this far by stunning Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka.

Beyond the result of the day’s first game, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav will have another pressing concern -- how to address their faltering opening combination. Opener Abhishek Sharma’s slump -- including three consecutive ducks and an unconvincing 12-ball 15 in their last outing against South Africa -- has hurt India’s campaign.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak admitted that changes are being considered.

“There can be changes, yes,” Kotak told reporters. “And obviously, it goes without saying that we discuss, because there are two leftie openers, number three is left-handed.”

India’s top and middle order is heavily dominated by left-handers, offering opponents a clear tactical avenue.

Teams including Pakistan, the Netherlands and South Africa have targeted this vulnerability by opening the bowling with off-spin, dismissing one of India’s openers in the first over with an off-spinner in multiple games.

With skipper Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett in Zimbabwe’s ranks, the African side will almost certainly look to exploit that weakness.

India have lost a wicket in the first over in three games so far in the World Cup, and right-handed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson could emerge as a potential solution to that recurring problem.

“People ask about Sanju as a right-hander up front,” Kotak said, without offering any clear indication. “Or you think of playing three spinners,” he added.

Whether India opt for changes or stick to their current combination, one thing is certain -- the outcomes of today’s two matches will significantly reshape the semifinal race in Group 1 and could define the trajectory of multiple campaigns in a matter of hours.