Key points
- Motie, Hosein dismantle Zimbabwe
- India vulnerable against early spin
- Hetmyer adds explosive batting threat
MUMBAI: West Indies appear poised to unleash a potent spin attack against a vulnerable India when the two sides meet in a potentially decisive T20 World Cup Super Eights clash on March 1.
After dismantling Zimbabwe by 107 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, the Caribbean side have signalled both depth and tactical flexibility — qualities that could prove crucial against an Indian top order struggling against spin.
As Cricbuzz noted in its match report, Roston Chase was a notable absentee from the West Indies XI against Zimbabwe, raising speculation that the experienced off-spinner is being preserved for the high-stakes contest against India. Captain Shai Hope offered little away when asked about the omission, smiling and saying, “Stay tuned.”
The move may not have been accidental. Off-spinners have consistently troubled India in this tournament, with opposition teams opening the bowling with spin and striking early in recent matches. Chase, who has contributed useful runs and tidy spells earlier in the campaign, could emerge as a key weapon against India’s aggressive but increasingly unsettled top order.
Even without him, West Indies’ spin pair Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie dominated Zimbabwe. Defending a formidable 254 for 6 — the highest total of this World Cup and the second highest in tournament history — the duo combined for seven wickets, dismantling Zimbabwe for 147.
Hetmyer’s return to peak form
Hosein, operating with control and variation, claimed 3 for 28, while left-arm wrist-spinner Motie returned 4 for 28, repeatedly beating batters with flight and turn. Motie’s 10 wickets in the tournament place him among the leading wicket-takers.
“I enjoy bowling in tandem with Motie,” Hosein said after the win, highlighting how the pair adapted to conditions that were not overtly spin-friendly. Their ability to extract grip and variation even on a batting surface underlined the threat they pose.
With India having shown vulnerability on slower pitches, particularly in the Powerplay, West Indies’ multi-pronged spin attack could prove decisive.
Adding to India’s concerns is Shimron Hetmyer’s return to peak form. The powerful left-hander blasted 85 off just 34 balls against Zimbabwe, showcasing both familiarity with Indian conditions and destructive intent.
For India, the clash in Kolkata looms as a defining moment in their title defence. For West Indies, armed with spin depth and explosive batting, it represents an opportunity to tighten the screws on a side searching for answers.
