Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta has shed light on Team India’s bowling combination for T20 World Cup 2026. Dasgupta reckons India won’t play three spinners in the playing XI in the T20I showpiece unless they are playing on a rank turner. 

Varun Chakravarthy is India’s first-choice spinner whereas Axar Patel is expected to be the spin-bowling all-rounder as he is also the team’s vice-captain. Thus, the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will have to wait in the wings for their chances.

On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are going to lead India’s pace attack, with Harshit Rana being the third pacer.

“I don’t see India going in with three spinners unless it is a turner. It would be three seamers with Hardik and then two spinners. With Kuldeep, we were having a chat and he did mention that there were certain things he was not happy with and working on and then in the second game he bowled beautifully. He looked a little off again in the last game. But I know he is working on something, the kind of experience he has, I think he should be alright. But the question is what games he plays, what kind of pitches will we have where we can play both Kuldeep and Varun,” Deep Dasgupta said on ‘Backstage with Boria’.

The former Bengal cricketer said Hardik Pandya’s ability to bowl in the Powerplay overs, allows captain Suryakumar Yadav to use Jasprit Bumrah more effectively.

“With him bowling the way he is with the new ball, in the first six, that gives you so much flexibility to use Bumrah. We also dont know what the scene is with Sundar. If he is not available, apart from Axar you don’t have anyone who can give you a couple of overs in the powerplay. But with Hardik bowling the way he is, now you are not forced to bowl Bumrah with the new ball. You can bowl Bumrah the fifth or the sixth. It gives you the flexibility to bowl Bumrah and Varun,” he added.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.