ICC World T20 2016: India’s over-reliance on spinners a boon

India wrapped up their ongoing Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Australia with two emphatic wins over the hosts, at Adelaide and Melbourne.

India wrapped up their ongoing Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Australia with two emphatic wins over the hosts, at Adelaide and Melbourne. India produced all-round shows in both games with all their key departments carrying out the job well. The top-order continued to fire and MS Dhoni in the lower-order batted with a lot more freedom and assurance, which has been a delight to watch for the Indian cricket fans. India did not try their usual bowling combinations, but summoned a fresh Ashish Nehra, an impressive Jasprit Bumrah, and the trusted spin attack of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to demolish the Australians. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd T20I at Sydney 

While there will be many positives for India to take away from this series, the biggest one is that the Indian spinners have started winning them matches not only in their backyard but also overseas. Ashwin and Jadeja, who have been India’s strike bowlers in the past few months, have shown tremendous character to guide their team to one win after another.

Dhoni looked in his element with his trusted teammates Yuvraj Singh and Nehra coming back into the fold. While Dhoni was impressive with his captaincy as well as team selection, the idea which the Indian cricket team is toying with at present may actually work very well in the ICC World T20 2016. READ: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd T20I at Sydney: Visitors’ likely XI

With Yuvraj in the team and Suresh Raina also finding his rhythm, India have added two additional spinners who can be dangerous on their days. While Yuvraj has the knack of taking wickets at regular intervals, Raina is someone who can stem the flow of runs with his disciplined line and length. Adding the batting firepower of Yuvraj and Raina, the Indian cricket team will have a four-pronged spin attack which could do wonders for them. Ashwin and Jadeja have already established themselves as the first-choice spinners for the Indian cricket team and their exploits at home have raised the hopes for the Indian cricket. READ: Shane Watson to lead Australia in 3rd T20I vs India at Sydney

The ICC World T20 2016 will be played in India, and their exploits in the home series against South Africa will still be fresh in the memories. Jadeja and Ashwin have formed a critical partnership with the ball for India, and their show must go on like they had done in the series late last year. With the pitches being conducive to the batsmen, spinners will have a major role to play in the tournament. India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd T20I at Sydney: Preview

India’s T20I series win in Australia has largely been constructed on the spinners suffocating the life of the home team’s batsmen. In both the matches, at Adelaide and Melbourne, India made a comeback after Australia’s rapid starts thanks to their spinners. While India’s over-dependence on their spinners can create a negative impression, it is important to see what the team has been building up to. Dhoni and his tactics have revolved around spinners for a long part of his tenure as captain, and the same can actually work for India in the ICC World T20 2016, which they are hosting for the first time ever.

India have been struggling with their seamers for quite some time now, and the emergence of their spinners provides a necessary boost to the team. There is a lot of cricket lined up: the home series against Sri Lanka will be followed by Asia Cup T20 tournament and then the ICC World T20 2016. If India are able to strike a good balance using all the resources they have in Ashwin, Jadeja, Yuvraj, and Raina, their bowling could be considered as one of the toughest attacks in the ICC World T20 2016 competition.

(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)