Nitish Kumar

The Adelaide 2022 T20 World Cup feels like a distant memory. While India had struggled to recover from early losses in that tournament, their performance in Delhi in 2024 was a stark contrast. Despite the pressure of a semifinal, India’s response to a batting crisis in batting-friendly conditions showcased their remarkable growth in the past two years.

During the second T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi, India lost three wickets in the Powerplay. Instead of resorting to survival mode, they shifted gears, scoring a remarkable 120/1 in the middle overs. This was their third-highest ever in that phase of a T20I.

At the heart of this recovery was a consistent message from the leadership group: express yourself and play aggressively. Suryakumar Yadav, a key figure in India’s batting lineup, emphasized this approach after the match. “The message has been loud and clear. You just go out and express yourself,” he said. “When you come here, just the jersey changes, the emotion changes, rest everything remains the same. Just be yourself.”

Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh, the two batters who led India’s comeback, embodied this advice perfectly. Their 108-run partnership off 49 balls turned the innings around. Reddy smashed seven sixes, while Rinku hit three. India’s 15 sixes in the match were the most ever hit in a T20I against Bangladesh.

India’s success wasn’t just about hitting big; it was also about superior skill and muscle. This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It took time, effort, and the sting of a World Cup loss. But with a World Cup win now behind them, their intent is shining through even more clearly.

“I should give credit to the captain and coach,” Nitish said. “They told me to play the aggressive way only, the way I played in the IPL. They gave me the license.”

India’s upswing wasn’t about being a one-trick pony. Nitish, in fact, was cautious at first but gradually found his rhythm and targeted offspinner Mehidy Hasan effectively.

After Nitish’s dismissal, Hardik Pandya and Riyan Parag continued the aggressive approach, showcasing India’s depth and commitment to this style of play.

This performance highlighted how India’s T20 batting is in capable hands. The young generation is embracing the aggressive approach, which is crucial in today’s competitive landscape. India’s lessons from Adelaide 2022 have clearly paid off, and their future in T20 cricket looks promising.