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India’s preparation for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against South Africa has sparked significant conversation. After an impressive, unbeaten run through the group stage, notching victories over the USA, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands, Suryakumar Yadav's brigade are set to open the next round on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, the lead-up to this high-stakes fixture has raised eyebrows due to an unusually quiet training ground.
Just 4 India players show up for practice session ahead of South Africa clash
During the optional practice session on February 21, only four players reported for duty. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff led the camp, but the sparse attendance has ignited a debate among fans and pundits.
Despite the low numbers, the session remained intensive for those present. Kuldeep Yadav was spotted putting in significant work in the nets, primarily bowling to Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh. Both left-handers appeared sharp and hungry for success; Kishan, in particular, displayed a high level of aggression, consistently looking to dominate the bowling.
The technical focus of the afternoon was clearly centered on power and precision. Kishan was seen striking the ball with immense force, specifically practicing his ability to hit in the V, the zone between mid-off and mid-on. This emphasis on straight, clean hitting suggests that the team management is prioritizing a powerful, disciplined batting approach as they prepare to face the Proteas’ formidable bowling attack.
The recent optional training session ahead of the South Africa clash featured some intriguing sights, most notably from Rinku Singh. After completing his batting drills, the designated finisher took the opportunity to experiment with some round-arm bowling in the nets. While captain Suryakumar Yadav was present, he chose a more relaxed approach, observing his teammates from the sidelines, whereas head coach Gautam Gambhir remained intensely focused on Ishan Kishan’s batting form.
India look to iron out evident flaws ahead of Super 8s
Despite India entering the Super 8 stage with a perfect record at the top of Group A, several cracks have begun to show in their otherwise dominant campaign. The most pressing concern is the form of Abhishek Sharma. Despite entering the tournament as the world’s top-ranked T20I batter, he has struggled significantly, recording three ducks and leaving the rest of the top order to shoulder the burden of providing a fast start.
Tactically, the team is also grappling with a vulnerability to off-spin. With a top order heavily featuring left-handers like Abhishek, Kishan, and Tilak, opponents have successfully stifled India's scoring rate by deploying off-spinners early in the innings. This strategy has not only dried up the runs but has consistently led to crucial wickets, posing a major hurdle for the coaching staff to address.
Beyond the batting struggles, India’s fielding has been uncharacteristically sloppy, with the team averaging two to three dropped catches per game. These lapses in concentration and communication are risks that the Men in Blue cannot afford in the high-stakes environment of the Super 8s. As they prepare for the next round, tightening up these defensive errors will be just as vital as finding their rhythm with the bat.
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