The scene at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai was unusually tranquil. Unlike the typical frenzy surrounding Indian cricket, there were no blaring police sirens, no throngs of eager fans, and an almost eerie silence enveloped the stadium porch. A handful of security guards and police personnel were leisurely enjoying their post-lunch respite when the India A team bus arrived. Chairs were reluctantly abandoned as they briefly snapped to attention.
A Subdued Arrival for a Crucial Comeback
As players disembarked, the limited camera attention—only two cameras were present—focused squarely on Tilak Varma. The 23-year-old, marking his first competitive appearance in nearly a month after recovering from a groin injury, immediately got to work. While teammates engaged in extended warm-ups and catching drills, Varma, following a brief throwdown session near the boundary ropes, joined Ravi Bishnoi on the practice pitches to bowl.
This was not merely a light bowling session to loosen up. Varma spent considerable time delivering to bowlers like Bishnoi, Ashok Sharma, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mayank Yadav. His dedication was evident; even as captains lined up for the toss, Varma continued bowling. Only when USA's decision to bowl first appeared on the giant screen did the left-hander finally rush to the dugout to pad up.
Shaking Off Rust with Precision
India's designated No. 3 for the upcoming T20 World Cup had been sidelined due to a groin injury, lacking match practice. However, after undergoing extended rehabilitation and match simulations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, he seamlessly resumed where he left off in his last appearance for the national team. There were no visible signs of rust as the youngster replicated his form from the home T20I series against South Africa.
His innings of 38 off 23 balls was marked by:
- Confidently taking on left-arm spin
- Finding gaps with remarkable precision
- Executing a reverse sweep effectively
- Displaying power with a maximum
Although his knock ended with an edge behind off Shubham Ranjane's delivery, Varma checked all the boxes he aimed for after his time away from cricket. This performance solidifies his role as a crucial component in India's T20 World Cup strategy.
The Intensifying Selection Conundrum
Varma's successful return now presents the selectors with a clearer, yet challenging, decision regarding the second opener and wicketkeeper's spot. The competition narrows down to Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
Samson struggled notably during the five T20Is against New Zealand, failing to find form. In contrast, Kishan capitalized on his opportunities, even taking up wicketkeeping duties in the final T20I. Captain Suryakumar Yadav had indicated that the final call would be revealed on February 7, but recent performances and confidence levels strongly favor Kishan.
"The final call on Ishan Kishan versus Sanju Samson for the opener role will be revealed on February 7," Suryakumar stated in a broadcast interaction. While Indian management has historically persisted with out-of-form players in T20Is, including the captain himself, it remains to be seen if this approach will extend to a multi-nation tournament like the T20 World Cup.
Exploring Backup Options
Beyond Varma's comeback, another key discussion point from the India A warm-up against USA revolves around potential backup options, particularly if Washington Sundar does not recover in time for the T20 World Cup. Although the all-rounder is progressing at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, the management is keen on establishing a Plan B for the campaign commencing on February 7 at Wankhede Stadium.
As previously reported, the management is likely to adopt a patient approach with Washington, especially given the need for effective match-ups against left-handers. For these scenarios, Ravi Bishnoi was included in the squad for the T20Is against New Zealand, delivering figures of 2/18 and 1/49 in his two appearances. In the Navi Mumbai fixture, the leg-spinner, whose stock ball moves away from left-handers, claimed a wicket in his first over, dismissing USA captain Monank Patel for 10. He added another wicket in his second over, finishing with 3/37 in four overs.
Varma also contributed with the ball, being introduced ahead of Ayush Badoni and Riyan Parag. The part-timer struck with his first delivery before Parag bowled from the opposite end. While there is no immediate cause for panic, the think-tank is leaving nothing to chance, even concerning replacement options for a player like Washington, who may not feature in the playing XI for most matches. The brief bowling spells from Varma, Parag, and Badoni—one over each—do not provide definitive clues, but they highlight the team's strategic depth.
Team Assembly and Upcoming Fixtures
The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team is set to assemble in Mumbai on Tuesday, ahead of the warm-up match against South Africa on February 4. Most players, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and support staff, had returned home during the two-day break following the New Zealand series but are now regrouping for the upcoming challenges.
As for the initially relaxed security personnel at DY Patil Stadium, they were eventually kept on their toes when a decent crowd arrived for the India A-USA game. The upcoming India-South Africa fixture promises to be even busier, with nearly 20,000 tickets already sold, ensuring that the post-lunch sweet spot will likely remain undisturbed on Wednesday.
