The T20 World Cup 2026 advanced to a high-stakes ‘virtual quarter-final’ at the iconic Eden Gardens. West India facing a resurgent Indian side. After the loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad, the Men in Maroon find themselves in a ‘win or go home’ scenario to secure a semi-final spot.
In the middle of the tension, the legendary former captain Carl Hooper expressed concern over the team’s recent tactical mistakes, pointing to one glaring error in the bowling department in particular. as Shai Umid-leadership set to face India’s explosive top order, Hooper believes a return to his proven formula is the only way to take the hosts’ momentum away. With the fate of the two-time champions in their own hands, the veteran’s advice underscores the dire need for tactical “guts” to take on India’s clinical batsmen on the historic Kolkata turf.
The West Indies legend points out the missing link in Shai Hope’s 11th over against India at the Eden Gardens.
Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper pulled no punches while assessing the team’s selection, clearly naming the left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein As a player who needs to be reinstated for the clash against India.
Despite Hosein’s status as a top-class T20I bowler, he was surprisingly dropped in the previous game against South Africa to accommodate the off-spinner. Roston ChaseA move Hooper labeled a failed ‘adaptation’ experiment. Hooper argues that Hosein’s accuracy and unique batting ability during the Powerplay is worth more than just tracking the stats, which are particularly biased against India’s fast-paced top order.
“I don’t understand why Akeal, who is also a No. 1 T20I bowler, was not included against South Africa. The idea of playing Chase was to have an off-spinner to counter Quinton de Kock.
and #3 (Ryan Rickelton). But I hate these encounters. In Akeal, you have a bowler who is accurate and can bowl successfully in the Powerplay. Why didn’t you have him in the team? All they need is to trust their skills, focus on the basics and be brave.” “The Telegraph India” quoted Carl Hooper.
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A plan for the West Indies to overcome India’s shortcomings in Kolkata
In addition to the inclusion of Hosein, Hooper presented a comprehensive plan to “remove the defects” found in the West Indies. Ahmedabad. He pointed out that while India has world-class batsmen, they no longer dominate spin with the same historic invincibility of legends. Navjot Singh Sidhuas it gives spinners Gudakesh Movement and Hosein, a window to “mix it up” with flight and a flatter delivery.
Also, noting the seam department’s average performance on the red soil, Hooper suggested that the grass-covered Eden pitch would be the perfect place to unleash the pacers early in the innings to rattle India’s openers.
“In our time, even Navjot Singh Sidhu could have beaten the opposition’s spin attack. But with the current Indian team, that’s no longer the case. So they (the WI spinners) have to mix it up with a bit of flight and hit it flat. Hitting a six or four and following it up with a single is the way to go. 15 in one and then only four innings helps. Shouldn’t go into the shell or deviate from his natural game against the Indian attack. Carl Hooper concluded.
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