Spinner Axar Patel is POTM against England in ICC T20 WC semis (AP)
When India announced their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, the decision to include four spinners caught everyone's attention.
Despite questions about this selection, Rohit Sharma remained composed, stating, "The reason for picking four spinners is something I won't reveal now."
Rohit Sharma kept this strategy under wraps, and today, when it mattered most, the Indian spinners delivered exceptionally. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja bowled a combined 11 overs, conceding just 56 runs while capturing 6 wickets to secure India's victory.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed 3 wickets in the match, while Jasprit Bumrah picked up 2 wickets, and the other 2 dismissals were run-outs.
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Rohit Sharma's master plan
Rohit Sharma's foresight in selecting four spinners proved instrumental, particularly exploiting the slow pitches in the West Indies with these bowlers' variations. Many had criticized Rohit when he advocated to pick 4 spinners, but now Rohit proved why he was right in his decision.
During the group games in the USA, Rohit Sharma utilised pacer Mohammed Siraj alongside Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. As the tournament progressed to slower West Indian pitches, Rohit Sharma introduced his secret weapon, Kuldeep Yadav, as his prime spinner.
In the semi-finals, when Jos Buttler began to find his form, Rohit Sharma brought in Axar Patel, who dismissed Buttler in his first ball and was awarded the Player of the Match for his performance, finishing with 3 wickets.
With the final against South Africa just two days away, India's spinners have another challenge ahead—to contain South African batters and secure India's second T20 World Cup title.
 "Nikhil Sebastian")
