New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) India's all-round capabilities and the effective fast-bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have strategically positioned the team as they gear up to defend their title in the Men’s T20 World Cup, according to former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.

The all-rounder lineup, featuring Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube, boasts remarkable depth, each bringing unique strengths in both batting and bowling. Their contributions since the 2024 victory have been pivotal in maintaining the balance of the defending champions' squad.

Pandya has played in 29 T20Is since the 2024 World Cup, amassing 579 runs at a strike rate of 155, including three fifties, while claiming 21 wickets at a strike rate of 21.1. In the same timeframe, Axar has participated in 27 matches, scoring 233 runs at a strike rate of 121 and taking 28 wickets at a strike rate of 15.1.

“It’s encouraging to see Hardik and Axar performing effectively with both bat and ball. This ensures that both our seam and spin departments are in capable hands. They complement each other well, with a mix of left and right-handed batting options,” Mhambrey stated.

“Axar has evolved into a versatile player, adept at batting in various positions and consistently contributing to the team’s efforts. From a bowling perspective, both are meeting expectations, and I’m pleased with Hardik’s progress,” he added.

Dube has emerged as a formidable six-hitter, scoring 347 runs in 26 matches at a strike rate of 175, including two fifties, while also taking 18 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 13.2.

“Dube has proven to be a valuable asset, delivering unexpected breakthroughs when needed. He provides confidence with his ability to bowl crucial overs, complementing our spin options effectively,” Mhambrey remarked, reflecting on his experience as India’s bowling coach during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The fast-bowling unit is equally robust, led by the dynamic pairing of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Since the 2024 World Cup, Bumrah has claimed 18 wickets in 15 innings at an economy of 7.7 and a strike rate of 18.7.

Meanwhile, Arshdeep has been impressive with 39 wickets in 23 innings, striking every 12.8 balls, despite an economy of 8.9, recently achieving his second five-wicket haul in T20Is against New Zealand.

“They are like a famous duo, complementing each other perfectly. With one being a right-arm bowler and the other a left-armer, they can adapt to various phases of the game effectively,” Mhambrey noted.

“You don’t have to rely solely on Bumrah for powerplay overs; Arshdeep can handle those as well. Their synergy allows for strategic flexibility, which is advantageous for our team structure,” he explained.

Mhambrey emphasized that despite concerns over managing the workloads of key players like Bumrah and Pandya, he anticipates both will participate in every World Cup match. “Moving forward, we plan to utilize them smartly, as both players are crucial to our success,” he concluded.