T20 World Cup: India’s timid approach has hurt them in ICC events, says former England captain Nasser Hussain

T20 World Cup: India must come out of their conservative approach to win an ICC tournament, believes former England captain Nasser Hussain.

File photo of Nasser Hussain (right). (Courtesy: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: India have paid the price for their timid approach in the ICC events, believes former England captain Nasser Hussain. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the T20 World Cup, Hussian said that India were themselves to blame for their world tournament outings given that they play with an conservative approach.

Notably, India had a terrific record in the bilaterals throughout the 2022 season, but were drubbed in the continental championships – Asia Cup by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

“India’s issues have been ICC events really. They have been going around beating everyone, with a variety of players, they have rotated and rested. But the truth is that they have played some timid cricket in world events, like almost gone into their shell. They definitely played some fearful cricket in the last World Cup, especially in the powerplays,” Hussain told Sky Sports.

Earlier in 2021, Indias top order failure led to a group stage exit from the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup, which BCCI hosted in the UAE.
The loss brought a series of changes in the team and the management as Rohit Sharma was handed the captaincy of the team. Since then, India have tried to adapt to an aggressive approach and have reaped benefits by and large.

India have chosen to take a 14-member contingent to the T20 World Cup in Australia. While the batters seem to have found their form, questions still loom around the bite of the bowling attack, which remains without the services of Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.

“India have got to keep the hitting potential. Suryakumar Yadav has been in unbelievable form. They are missing two great cricketers in Jadeja and Bumrah. They have got to keep the same mindset they have had in the bilateral events,” the former captain further added.

India have won their first warm-up match against Western Australia, with Suryakumar Yadav hitting a half century.

India will hope to shake off their 2021 defeat as they look to turn a new page under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, who served as a long time deputy to Virat Kohli in the Indian team. The Men in Blue begin their campaign against Pakistan on 23 October.