THIS former RCB star points out India’s ‘Major Weakness’ ahead of T20 World Cup, name is…
As India gears up for another ICC T20 World Cup campaign, confidence around the Men in Blue is understandably high. They’ve been winning consistently, dominating series after series, and looking every bit like a team that knows how to handle the chaos of T20 cricket. But even with all that momentum, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes there’s one area that still needs attention – death bowling.
Dinesh Karthik describes the flaw
Speaking on JioStar’s The Experts’ View, Karthik praised India’s remarkable run since lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024, calling it “phenomenal” in a format known for unpredictability. India have won 29 of their 36 T20Is since then, losing just five, with a couple of ties and no-results along the way. In Karthik’s words, that kind of consistency in T20 cricket is “very hard to replicate” and speaks volumes about the depth and balance of the squad.
Chakaravarthy’s menace with the ball
Much of India’s success has come from a spin-heavy strategy. Varun Chakravarthy has been nothing short of sensational, topping India’s bowling charts with 53 wickets in 27 matches at an average close to 13. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have added control, variation, and match-winning spells, allowing India to squeeze opponents through the middle overs. This approach also played a huge role in their Asia Cup triumph in the UAE last year, where spin-friendly conditions worked perfectly in their favour.
However, Karthik pointed out that the same combination could pose problems at the death. With India often stacking their XI with spinners, the responsibility at the back end usually falls on Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Hardik Pandya and occasionally Shivam Dube. While Bumrah remains elite, the lack of multiple specialist death bowlers can become an issue when matches go deep, especially when defending totals under dew.
“Death bowling is a concern,” Karthik admitted. “It’s a challenge because of the way they stack up their eleven. When the game goes to the back end, particularly while defending, that’s where things can get tricky.”
All eyes on T20 World Cup
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7 and have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the hosts. On paper, India and Pakistan stand out, but Karthik was quick to warn against complacency. In T20 cricket, a lost toss, early dew, or a late assault can flip the script in minutes.
“The beauty of this format is that no game is easy,” he said. “You lose the toss, you’re bowling first, and suddenly you’re chasing the game at the back end.”
Despite the concerns, the bigger picture remains positive. India are winning more often than not, their spinners are in top form, and the team carries confidence into every match. If they can fine-tune their death bowling without losing the edge that spin gives them, the Men in Blue will head into the World Cup not just as contenders, but as a team others genuinely fear.