T20 is an unpredictable format and although India would have been well aware of it, the defeat against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22) would have shocked the daylights out of them. A 76-run defeat is mammoth in T20 cricket and with the way the Super 8s format is designed, the defending champions are now in do-or-die territory.
India's upcoming fixtures are against Zimbabwe (February 26) and West Indies (March 1), and winning these fixtures should mostly ensure a semifinal berth for the tournament co-hosts. However, if West Indies beat Zimbabwe and South Africa before their clash with India, it will leave the reigning champions with a gargantuan task.
Given that the India-West Indies clash happens only after the other games mentioned above means that India would know exactly what they need to do to progress. However, net run rate could be a bridge too far to cross unless they get some favours from South Africa. Right now, two changes are likely to be seen for India's next game against Zimbabwe.
The first of the changes would be the return of Axar Patel who was strangely sidelined against South Africa in Ahmedabad. It was a matchup-influenced call from the management but it backfired badly. Very few batters in this Indian line-up can hammer spin with such conviction as he can - something that he proved immensely in India's title wins in 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy.
Axar's return would be at the expense of Washington Sundar who didn't do much to justify his selection in Ahmedabad. The second decision would be a trickier call. One of Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma is expected to make way for Sanju Samson as India hopes to add a right-handed batter to counter the off-spin threat from their opponents.
Samson himself hasn't been in great touch but the no.3 slot is tailor-made for him, given that he has played a major chunk of his IPL career at that slot. The Kerala batter's recent entry to opening shouldn't dilute the fact that he is a strong spin-hitter and at present, India's tempo has been found wanting against the slower bowlers.
To be fair, Rinku has mostly done whatever is needed of him in the finisher role and to criticize him for failing when everyone else failed is being too harsh. Meanwhile, Tilak has looked a pale shadow of himself since returning from injury. When the situation becomes criticial, tough calls need to be made and it shall be interesting to see which route the management takes for this big game.
