India will commence their Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2024 by facing Afghanistan on Thursday (June 20) at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. In this phase, India are grouped with Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh.

Adapting to conditions and opposition

Having maintained an undefeated record in the tournament thus far, India face a crucial transition from the seam-friendly conditions of Nassau County International Stadium in New York to the spin-oriented pitches of the West Indies. This shift marks a pivotal phase where Men in Blue will look to adapt swiftly to the new playing conditions, which are expected to favor both batters and spin bowlers.

Throughout the tournament, India have relied predominantly on seamers, neglecting the services of seasoned spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Instead, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have shouldered the spin responsibilities effectively, providing depth to the batting lineup.

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Stephen Fleming urges for big shift in Team India’s playing XI

However, the lack of spin options utilized raises questions about India’s strategic approach in the latter stages of the competition. Now former New Zealand captain and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Stephen Fleming has advocated for Kuldeep’s inclusion, citing his ability to introduce wicket-taking flair on spin-friendly tracks.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Fleming emphasized the importance of strategic flexibility, urging India not to adhere rigidly to one style of play. He stressed the significance of adapting to varying conditions and opposition strengths, asserting that Kuldeep’s inclusion would offer India the flexibility to exploit spinning conditions effectively.

“You can’t be so set in one way of playing that you miss the opportunities to take advantage of conditions as you say but yeah, I would think maybe Kuldeep would come in to provide that extra bit of wicket-taking flair if the wickets do provide the turn as they get a little bit more used and you get closer to the end of the tournament,” 

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