The path for the Indian cricket team to reach the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup has become difficult, because now even after winning both its matches, it will have to depend on the results of other matches. Of course, Suryakumar Yadav and team won all the matches in the group stage, but as an opening partnership, the team has proved to be the worst. They are worse than Oman, Namibia and Canada, whose journey ended without any win. Leaving aside the first match of Super-8, Ishan Kishan still batted well, but the opening pair disappointed.
The average of the opening pair will surprise you
Team India’s opening pair in the T20 World Cup 2026 has an average of only 6.80. Abhishek Sharma could not even open his account against USA, Pakistan and Netherlands. In the first match held in Mumbai, India’s first wicket fell on the score of 8. After this the first wicket in Delhi fell at the score of 25. The first wicket against Pakistan fell at 1 and then in the fourth match the first wicket fell at zero.
In the first match of Super-8, India’s first wicket fell at zero against South Africa. That means, in 5 matches, India’s opening pair together have made a partnership of 34 runs. If we talk about the average of Oman’s opening pair, it was 10. UAE’s opening pair scored runs at an average of 15.50 and Ireland’s opening pair scored runs at an average of 14.33. So far the best average is that of New Zealand’s opening pair (84).
Indian opener was out on zero 4 times
In 4 out of 5 matches, India’s opener was ‘ducked’ out, that is, could not even open the account. Abhishek Sharma was out for zero against USA, Pakistan and Netherlands, Ishan Kishan could not open his account against South Africa in Super-8. In every match held so far, India’s opening pair has not been able to last till the third over.
Apart from the opening pair, Tilak Verma’s poor form has also remained a problem, in 5 matches he has been able to score only 107 runs at an average of 21. Even against South Africa, he got out while playing irresponsible shots. At the same time, questions are being raised on leaving out Akshar Patel and playing Washington Sundar.
