Among Super 8 teams, India have the lowest run rate (6.91) in middle overs (7-15) in T20 WC 2026

T20 World Cup 2026: India have the lowest middle-overs run rate (6.91) among Super 8 teams, raising concerns over intent and acceleration.

From the 2024 T20 World Cup through the ongoing 2026 edition, India boasted an outstanding average of 37.31 against spin, along with an impressive strike rate of 160.49, the best among Full Member nations in T20Is. However, in the ongoing World Cup, those numbers have dipped sharply, with India averaging just 17 against spin at a strike rate of 122.35.

During this campaign, India have lost 19 wickets to spinners across five innings while managing only 26 boundaries and 16 sixes against them. The outcome has been clear,  India have consistently struggled to maintain momentum through the middle overs.

India record lowest batting strike rate against spinners in middle overs of T20 WC 2026 at home
Between the start of 2025 and the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2026, India maintained an impressive average of 37.47 against spin. Across 11 innings, they lost just 17 wickets while scoring at a remarkable strike rate of 171.24, hitting 53 fours and 38 sixes during this period.

However, the trend has reversed in the ongoing tournament. Among the Super Eight teams, India currently have the lowest middle-overs run rate at 6.91. The side has managed only 311 runs from 270 balls while losing 15 wickets, with a strike rate of 115.19, numbers that fall well below their usual standards and highlight an area requiring significant improvement.

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Super 8 teams’ performance in middle overs during T20 WC 2026

India’s middle-overs run rate of 6.91 further drops to 6.61 while playing at home in this campaign. In familiar conditions, their batters have struggled significantly against spin, recording the lowest strike rate of 108.33 among the Super Eight teams during overs seven to 15. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side has managed only 130 runs across four innings in this phase, averaging a modest 16.25, numbers that underline India’s ongoing struggles in controlling the middle overs.

Super 8 teams’ middle overs’ batting strike rate in India against spinners in T20 WC 2026

On the other hand, several Indian batters have struggled badly during the 7-15 over phase. Captain Suryakumar Yadav himself has managed 103 runs in five innings at a strike rate of just 110.75, having been dismissed three times in this period.

His numbers against spin are even more concerning, scoring 79 runs off 74 balls at a strike rate of 106.76, well below his usual standards. Remarkably, Suryakumar has hit only one six against spin in the entire tournament so far, highlighting India’s broader struggle to dominate the middle overs.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs SA: India thrashed by South Africa in their first Super 8 fixture

India players’ strike rate in middle overs of T20 WC 2026 (min 30 runs)

India’s powerplay struggle continues to hamper middle overs’ progress
India have lost a total of 11 wickets in the powerplay across five innings in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and that has significantly affected their progress through the middle overs. Frequent early setbacks mean the side often enters the middle phase without set batters at the crease.

When wickets fall inside the first six overs, incoming batters are forced to rebuild from scratch rather than maintain momentum. The need to consolidate and form partnerships slows scoring considerably, which in turn has contributed to India’s declining run rate during the middle overs.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Tilak Varma’s strike rate cause of concern

India’s performance in powerplay and middle overs during T20 WC 2026

This highlights the direct link between India’s powerplay struggles and their dip in middle-overs scoring. After losing four wickets inside the first six overs against the United States of America (USA), India managed only 48 runs in the following nine overs. A similar pattern emerged against South Africa, where early damage left them at 30-3 in the powerplay before slipping further to 53-5, effectively derailing the innings.

India’s difficulties against spin have only compounded the problem. Going forward, the batting unit will need to adopt smarter strategies,  rotating strike consistently, picking up singles and doubles, and taking greater responsibility during the powerplay. If India can stabilise their middle overs, finishers like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will have the freedom to attack from the outset, giving the side a significant advantage during the death overs.

The issue is that India stand on thin ice currently. They can slip anytime to get out of the semifinal race. Their next encounter of the Super 8 stage will be against Zimbabwe on February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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