Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has outlined a clear blueprint for India’s T20 World Cup campaign, emphasising the crucial role of bowlers in deciding tournaments. Speaking during commentary at the Raipur T20, Harbhajan stressed that India should enter the World Cup with five specialist bowlers as a standard strategy, rather than treating it as a situational option.

Harbhajan argued that prioritising batting depth often comes at the cost of excluding match-winning bowlers, a compromise India cannot afford at global events. “Batters may win matches, but bowlers win tournaments,” he said, underlining his point with recent performances from India’s wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, who shared three wickets while conceding just 70 runs in a Raipur match on a flat pitch.

He recommended that Kuldeep and Varun play together in the World Cup, describing them as game-changers capable of breaking partnerships and swinging momentum. Harbhajan also highlighted conditions like dew and slippery balls that can neutralise fast bowlers, noting that precision often suffers, and only true wicket-takers—Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy—can consistently force breakthroughs.

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Critiquing batting-heavy combinations, he questioned the value of an eighth batter in T20s, suggesting that these players are rarely utilised and often block space for frontline bowlers. He advocated a controlled, measured approach in the powerplay, relying on India’s batting depth to manage the innings over 14–15 overs.

Harbhajan concluded with a broader message about mindset: bilateral series allow experimentation, but global tournaments demand clarity, balance, and proven match-winners. His advice underscores the belief that trusting India’s bowling unit is central to any T20 World Cup success.

India’s probable T20 World Cup squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.

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