Prior to their T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday, November 13, in Adelaide, former England captain Nasser Hussain issued a warning to Jos Buttler and Alex Hales on India’s new-ball bowlers. Hussain also emphasized how India’s spin bowling unit would reveal England’s susceptibility to the same. 

Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India’s new-ball bowling duo, have been extremely incisive and aggressive in going for wickets during the powerplay. Notably, Arshdeep has taken ten wickets for India in five games with a strike rate of 14.10 while keeping an economy rate of 7.83. 

Jos Buttler And Alex Hales At The Top Will Be Key: Nasser Hussain

The former hitter believes that if the ball moves, the matchup between England’s openers and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be entertaining in his column for the Daily Mail. 

“As for India’s bowling, Arshdeep Singh has been brilliant with the new ball and gives India that left-arm variation while the clash between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jos Buttler and Alex Hales at the top will be key. They both have to be wary of the inswinger, if the ball moves.”

Although Buttler and Hales had trouble early in the competition, they have since bonded and have scored some significant runs in the last few games. They put together opening partnerships of 81 and 75 runs against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, respectively. 

England Have To Play Spin Better: Nasser Hussain

The 54-year-old says that in order for England to win, they must effectively handle India’s spinners. 

“Then there is the spin threat of Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin while India might also consider the leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal unless they fear it weakens their lower order.

I don’t know yet whether the semi-final will be on another used pitch but England’s playing of spin here has not been the greatest and they will have to be better against India.”

England’s middle order struggled against players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Maheesh Theekshana as they attempted to chase down 142 against Sri Lanka on a challenging SCG surface. Ben Stokes, however, maintained his composure and guided them over the line. 

Also Read:IND vs ENG: “Let’s Not Fool Ourselves”- Aakash Chopra Discusses India’s Issues Before The Semifinals