Selection headaches are often spoken about as a problem, but occasionally they signal something far more encouraging; squad depth, competition and momentum. India’s spin department, over the first two T20Is, has offered exactly that, placing the team management in a comfortable position ahead of crucial World Cup preparations.
The spotlight, quite rightly, has been on Vaishnavi Sharma. Just two games into her international career, she already looks at ease at this level. Yes, she was taken on in her first over in the last game, conceding 14 runs, but what followed revealed far more about her temperament. Vaishnavi bounced back impressively, giving away just 18 runs in her next three overs, and picking up two vital wickets that shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. The added trust shown in her, being entrusted with death overs, underlined how quickly she has earned confidence within the set-up.
Alongside her, Sneh Rana once again reminded everyone why experience matters. Her spell was a lesson in control, variations in pace, subtle changes in length and consistent dip, making her a constant threat. Sneh’s value, however, extends beyond her bowling. Her batting ability provides a crucial cushion, something that could prove invaluable against stronger sides like Australia and England, where depth often decides tight contests.
Then there is Sree Charani, the traditional left-arm spinner who possesses that rare knack of picking up wickets. After an expensive outing in the first game, she redeemed herself admirably in the second, finishing with two wickets. While her bowling remains a genuine asset, Charani’s fielding continues to be an area requiring rapid improvement, particularly with competition this intense.
Hovering over all of this is the inevitable return of Deepti Sharma, who missed the previous game due to fever. When fit, Deepti walks straight into the XI, her powerplay control, all-round value and big-match experience are irreplaceable. Her return will force a tough call: balancing the temptation of two off-spinners against the variety and flexibility offered by the left-arm options.
What stands out is how clearly these roles are being defined. Sneh covering powerplay overs, Vaishnavi stepping up at the death, and Charani providing wicket-taking threat in the middle overs are deliberate experiments, helping build a robust Plan B and Plan C.
Vaishnavi’s real examination will come later, against Australia in Australia and England in England, just before the T20 World Cup 2026. Those conditions will test her adaptability and nerve. But for now, she has done everything right.
As India move on from Vizag to Trivandrum, this spin conundrum remains a luxury. All four spinners delivering whenever called upon is exactly where any team would want to be. For Indian cricket team fans, it is a reassuring sign, competition is alive, depth is growing and the future looks well spun.
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