The T20 World Cup 2026 has boiled down to a high-stakes ‘virtual quarter-final’ at the iconic Eden Gardens, where the West Indies face a resurgent Indian side. Following a bruising nine-wicket defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, the Men in Maroon find themselves in a ‘win-or-go-home’ scenario to secure their semi-final berth.
Amidst the tension, legendary former captain Carl Hooper has voiced his concerns regarding the team’s recent tactical blunders, specifically pointing to a glaring omission in the bowling department. As the Shai Hope-led squad prepares to face India’s explosive top order, Hooper believes that returning to a proven formula is the only way to dismantle the hosts’ momentum. With the destiny of the two-time champions in their own hands, the veteran’s advice highlights a desperate need for tactical ‘boldness’ to counter India’s clinical stroke-makers on a historic Kolkata turf.
West Indies legend points out the missing link in Shai Hope’s playing XI for Eden Gardens game vs India
Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper has pulled no punches in his assessment of the team’s selection, explicitly naming left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein as the player who must be reinstated for the clash against India.
Despite Hosein’s status as a top-tier T20I bowler, he was surprisingly sidelined in the previous game against South Africa to accommodate off-spinner Roston Chase, a move Hooper labeled as a failed ‘match-up’ experiment. Hooper argues that Hosein’s accuracy and unique ability to strike during the Powerplay are far more valuable than chasing specific batter-bowler statistics, especially against an Indian top order that thrives on pace.
“I don’t understand why Akeal, who has also been the No.1-ranked T20I bowler, wasn’t included against South Africa. The idea to play Chase was to have an off-spinner to counter Quinton de Kock
and the No.3 (Ryan Rickelton). But I really hate these match-ups. In Akeal, you have a bowler who’s accurate, can bowl in the Powerplay with success. So, why would you not have him in the team? All they need to do is trust their skills, focus on the basics and be bold.” Carl Hooper was quoted as saying by The Telegraph India.
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Blueprint for the West Indies to iron out the flaws of India in Kolkata
Beyond the inclusion of Hosein, Hooper provided a comprehensive blueprint for the West Indies to “iron out the flaws” that were exposed in Ahmedabad. He noted that while India possesses world-class batters, they no longer dominate spin with the same historical invincibility of legends like Navjot Singh Sidhu, giving spinners like Gudakesh Motie and Hosein a window to “mix it up” with flight and flatter deliveries.
Furthermore, noting the mediocre performance of the seam department on red soil, Hooper suggested that the grass-tinged Eden pitch would be the perfect setting to unleash pacers early in the innings to rattle India’s openers.
“In our times, even a Navjot Singh Sidhu could take down a rival spin attack. But that’s no longer the case with the current Indian team. So, they (WI spinners) need to mix it up with a fair bit of flight and firing it in flat. Hitting a six or a four and following it up with a single is the way to go. Taking 15 in one over and then only four in the next doesn’t help. But yeah, the batters shouldn’t go into a shell or shift from their natural game against the Indian attack.” Carl Hooper concluded.
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