Tilak Varma sees the anchor’s role in a squad of big hitters

After losing wickets in a heap in the opening game against USA, the hosts and holders want to take a smarter approach

- N Ananthanarayanan

For all the bang-bang batting approach of Twenty20 cricket and the gulf in standard between the big teams and the unfancied sides, World Cup dynamics can always throw in the spanner of unpredictability. Add the weight as defending champions and hosts, every slip-up will be highlighted, debated endlessly and throw up doubts.

India, arguably the strongest team in this T20 World Cup, especially in batting, were left embarrassed after their batters fell one after another going for big shots straightaway against USA in the opening Group A tie. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav saved the situation on what proved a tricky Wankhede Stadium pitch, his neatly-judged 84 off 49 balls allowing the bowlers to defend the 161/9 with ease.

He told his batters in no uncertain terms that they would be expected to assess conditions faster the next time as India cannot afford to be caught out against stronger opponents in the later stages. Ferozeshah Kotla on Thursday against a Namibia team that is unlikely to test them could be the opportunity to find that flexibility amidst a batting overdrive.