Suryakumar Yadav to play at number 3 ahead of Tilak:How India’s top order can counter off-spin weakness?

Team India’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage was excellent, but a major weakness has also emerged. Six out of the first eight batters in the Indian top order are left-handed. Teams are taking advantage of this by consistently using off-spin against Indian batter. Team India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has also admitted that the team needs to develop better strategies for turning pitches and big grounds. As in the middle overs of the game spins dominate over Indian batters as their strike rates drop down and the opponents eye to control the innings. India’s scoring rate very low against the off-spin
In the tournament, India faced the most balls against off-spin at 102 deliveries. Among 13 teams that played more than 6 overs of off-spin, India’s run rate was only 6.23. Only Nepal and Oman performed worse than India in this aspect. All other teams batted against off-spin at a run rate of 8 or higher. Cricket experts believe that Team India has 3 left-handers in the top order. To tackle off-spin, captain Suryakumar Yadav should bat at number 3 instead of Tilak Varma. Off-spin weapon against lefty batters
Left-handed batters like Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma in the Indian team have made things easier for opposing captains. Netherlands’ Aryan Dutt took 2 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs. He put Team India in early trouble by sending Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan back to the pavilion. Abhishek returned to the pavilion without opening his account, while Ishan Kishan got out after scoring 18 runs in 7 balls. Meanwhile, Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus also troubled the Indian top order significantly. India’s average against off-spin has been only 13.25. This means Team India is losing one wicket for every 14 runs scored against off-spinners. Abhishek Sharma’s poor start for Team India as an opener
Abhishek Sharma had a very poor start to his World Cup career. He got out for zero in three consecutive innings. In two of these dismissals, he lost his wicket while trying to play attacking shots against off-spinners. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma, batting at number 3, has faced the most balls (31) against off-spinners but has only managed to score 26 runs. Suryakumar Yadav to bat at No. 3 instead of Tilak Varma?
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Suryakumar Yadav should bat at No. 3 instead of Tilak Varma. He said, “To counter the off-spin threat, India should send Suryakumar Yadav instead of Tilak Varma at number 3. Teams are using off-spin in early overs because Team India has several left-handed batters.” “Teams plan to bowl off-spin in the first 4 overs of powerplay. If Suryakumar Yadav comes to bat at number three, teams will have to change their strategy. This can help India largely escape the pressure of off-spin”, he concluded. Suryakumar’s struggle against off-spinners in T20 WC 2026
Suryakumar Yadav also appeared to struggle against off-spin in this tournament. He scored only 28 runs in 27 balls. The team management is currently keeping Tilak at No. 3 because he is scoring runs quickly against fast bowlers in the powerplay. Meanwhile, Suryakumar’s performance has been more effective in death overs, where he is scoring runs at a strike rate of almost 150. India legends’ advice for Abhishek Sharma
Aakash Chopra believes that Abhishek should focus on playing straight shots against off-spin. If Abhishek opens his account by scoring one or two runs initially, his confidence will increase and he will soon find his rhythm. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and former fast bowler Irfan Pathan share the same opinion. They believe that Abhishek should talk to his mentor Yuvraj Singh and adopt a strategy of playing straight shots against off-spin, which will help him deal with this challenge in a better way. Ten Doschet said that Abhishek knows his capabilities. Before the match, he sweated for 90 minutes in the nets and found his rhythm. He just needs a little confidence, his past record is his strength. Challenge will increase in Super 8 stage for Team India
Other teams in India’s group have sensed this weakness. In Super-8, South Africa has Aiden Markram, Zimbabwe has Sikandar Raza, and West Indies has Roston Chase as experienced off-spinners. These teams may use off-spin against India even with the new ball.