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Xtra Time Web Desk: With the pitches in the Caribbean starting to grip in the latter stages of the T20 World Cup 2024, there’s speculation about whether India will field four spinners in their upcoming match against Australia. India assistant coach Paras Mhambrey shed some light on this strategy ahead of the crucial Super 8 clash set for Monday, June 24.

India, having already secured two victories in the Super 8 stage, will guarantee their spot in the semi-finals with a win against Australia. The match is expected to be played in good batting conditions, but the pitches have started to exhibit a sluggish nature typical of Caribbean surfaces. When asked if India might play four spinners, Mhambrey hoped the surface wouldn't be so spinner-friendly that it necessitates such a strategy.

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“We hope the surface won’t be that spinner-friendly,” Mhambrey commented. “We’ve been playing with three spinners to maintain balance, but if the wicket has a lot of wear and tear and supports spin, we might consider it. However, I don't expect the pitch to be excessively dry and turning.”

So far in the tournament, India has fielded three spinners: Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja from the start, and Kuldeep Yadav, who joined in the Super 8 stages. Kuldeep Yadav, despite playing only two matches, has impressed with five wickets, solidifying his place in the team. Mhambrey praised Kuldeep's performance, highlighting his effective use of conditions and his contributions to the team's success.

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“He’s always been a class bowler, winning games for us. Due to the nature of the wickets in the US, he didn’t get a chance earlier, but he’s performed brilliantly in the last two games,” Mhambrey said.

The upcoming match holds significant stakes. A win for India will knock Australia out of the tournament unless they depend on the outcome of the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan match. If Afghanistan wins, Australia is out; if Bangladesh wins, net run rate (NRR) will determine the semi-finalists.