Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has criticised the team's top-order batting collapse against South Africa in their Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup, particularly Abhishek Sharma's struggles, saying he has "passed the baton of zeroes" to in-form Ishan Kishan.

India's T20 World Cup campaign hit a roadblock as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, despite Shivam Dube's valiant 42. Co-hosts chase lost momentum early on as Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed cheaply.

Nayar’s remark came after India's 76-run defeat to South Africa, highlighting the challenges Men in Blue faces, especially against quality off-spin, and questioned the team's strategy against such bowling.

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"It's going to be a very uncomfortable discussion between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek as to who takes the strike because suddenly he has passed the baton of the zeroes to Ishan Kishan, someone who was in prime form. But this is a problem for India," Nayar told JioStar.

"There is definitely going to be a discussion about how they can overcome an off-spinner bowling to them because, keep in mind, when they take on the West Indies as well, Roston Chase is going to bowl in the powerplay to them. So they will want to come back with better plans?" Nayar said.

Nayar's review highlights India's pressing need to counter quality spin if they are to revive their Super Eights campaign.

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“With the newer ball, when you hit the seam at times as a finger spinner, you can get that extra bounce, and that's the tricky part. If it's slightly slower in the air, like we saw there, and the ball hits the seam and deviates even a bit, that's enough in T20 cricket to get you out because it creates doubt and can earn you a wicket,"? Nayar added.


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