Punjab Newsline,Sports :
Assistant coach admits early collapse exposed flaws but backs team to bounce back stronger in title defence
India’s dramatic collapse to 77/6 against USA at the Wankhede Stadium turned out to be the perfect wake-up call in their T20 World Cup title defence, according to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. The defending champions, who began the tournament as favourites, were rocked early in their campaign before skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant counterattack rescued them from trouble.
After being put under immense pressure by USA’s disciplined bowling, India found themselves in deep trouble during the powerplay. However, Suryakumar, who survived an early scare on 15, anchored the innings with a composed and attacking 84 not out off 49 balls, guiding India to a competitive 161/9.
India’s bowlers then responded strongly. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj struck early blows, reducing USA to 13/3 within four overs. The disciplined bowling effort ensured USA were restricted to 132/8, handing India a comfortable victory to kick-start their campaign.
Reflecting on the scare, ten Doeschate admitted the early collapse served as a reality check. He said the team understood the responsibility of defending a World Cup title at home and acknowledged that tournament cricket demands adaptability. The Mumbai pitch, he noted, required more application from the batters, especially after losing key wickets in quick succession.
He praised Suryakumar’s leadership and resilience, highlighting that the captain had remained consistent in his approach despite mixed results over the past year. The knock, he added, was a timely reminder of his class and temperament under pressure.
The assistant coach also stressed that India’s bowlers are yet to hit peak form. While the win over USA looked convincing, he believes there is room for improvement in execution and strategy.
Looking ahead to the clash against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, ten Doeschate emphasized the need to adapt to unfamiliar opponents and varying conditions. With different bowling speeds and pitch behaviour expected, he said India must stay flexible while sticking to their core game plans as the tournament progresses.