Batters sorted, time for bowlers is now

With less than a month to go for the WC, the onus is on the pacers to pick themselves up after a few dodgy shows

- VENKATA KRISHNA B

ONE-BY-ONE, everyone is turning up to India's T20 World Cup party. The mood is gradually beginning to change. Six months ago, they provided excitement with their new-found batting approach, before it turned sombre a month back.

And as the big show nears, the mood is beginning to change again as was evident in Hyderabad in the third T20I against Australia. In fact, it could well be their first choice XI at the T20 World Cup.

Even though there are three T20Is coming up against South Africa, starting Wednesday, India will not have the services of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who will be reporting at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for conditioning.

Although they have come out of Australia series with some much-needed confidence, there are still a few areas that need immediate attention. And more importantly their captain Rohit Sharma wants their "death bowling come to come to the party." And without that, the gloss is missing and it is there for everyone to see.

While the batting unit and its approach has been the cynosure of all eyes, it is beginning to show definite signs of ascendance. The confidence, which is growing with each outing, is there to see. And while their batting migraine has reduced only to a mild head-ache in KL Rahul, the same can't be said about the bowling, especially at the end overs. Since the Super 4 stages of the Asia Cup to now (excluding the match against Afghanistan) India have conceded 43 (vs Pak), 42 (vs SL), 57 (Aus), 52 (Aus) in the last four overs.