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Rain washed out India's final group stage match against Canada, but the Men in Blue head to the Caribbean brimming with confidence after a dominant performance.
India topped Group A with seven points, thanks in large part to their potent pace attack. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Siraj combined for a whopping 20 wickets. The helpful drop-in pitches at the Nassau County Stadium undoubtedly aided their performance, but their technical skill and ability to exploit the conditions were also on display.
Arshdeep Singh was particularly impressive, deceiving batters with his in-swinging deliveries. His dismissals of Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous showcased his ability to take wickets on any surface.
India's batting also showed positive signs.
Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who had underwhelming IPL seasons, found some form. Rishabh Pant, coming off a successful IPL campaign with the Delhi Capitals, solidified his place in the team with his characteristic shot-making and acrobatic fielding. Hardik Pandya also seemed to rediscover his bowling form, troubling batters with pace and variations.
However, a major concern for India is the lack of match time for their spinners. Except for Axar Patel, who took three wickets in six overs, the other spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal - haven't bowled a single competitive delivery in the tournament. This lack of practice could prove challenging on pitches in the West Indies that are expected to favor spin bowling.
India's adaptability and ability to handle pressure have been hallmarks of their recent success.
They will need to summon those qualities once again as they enter the Super Eight stage in the Caribbean.