Former India captain and leg-spinner Anil Kumble surprised many this week. He picked a bowler for the 2026 T20 World Cup who won’t struggle with dew. And it’s not the obvious choice, Jasprit Bumrah. Kumble believes left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is the man to handle those tricky subcontinental conditions.
The discussion aired on Star Sports’ “Cricket Connected” show. It focused on India’s squad preparations for the tournament. That starts February 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Dew is a massive factor in night games there. This makes Kumble’s analysis pretty critical for team strategy.
Kumble’s Bold Call on Dew Master
Kumble made his thoughts clear on January 25, during a T20 World Cup preview segment. He singled out Arshdeep. “Arshdeep Singh will not struggle with dew in the T20 World Cup. Not Jasprit Bumrah. His left-arm angle and slower ball variations make him perfect for those conditions,” Kumble stated, as reported by Star Sports’ official YouTube channel. He added, “Dew affects seam movement, but Arshdeep swings it back into right-handers even late.”
It’s an interesting take. Most assume Bumrah, with his pinpoint yorkers, is the go-to in any situation. But Kumble’s point is about the ball getting wet. That affects a bowler’s grip and release. For a left-armer like Arshdeep, that angle and natural swing might just work better. Even when the ball is slippery.
Arshdeep’s Form and the Dew Factor
Arshdeep’s recent numbers back up Kumble’s confidence. As of January 2026, he’s got 87 wickets from 59 T20Is. His average is 18.12 and economy is 8.21. In the IPL 2025, during night matches often hit by dew, he picked up 12 wickets in 7 games. His economy was 7.85. He even took 4/29 against Lucknow, a venue known for heavy dew. His Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 in 2025? 17 wickets at an economy of 7.2. These are good numbers.
Dew is a game-changer in T20s. It reduces grip for spinners and many right-arm pacers. CricViz data from 2024-2026 shows left-arm pacers actually average a 15% better economy in the second innings when dew hits. That’s a significant edge. India losing the 2024 T20 World Cup final was partly blamed on dew in Barbados. So, this isn’t just talk, it’s a real tactical problem.
Preparing for the Subcontinent Challenge
The 2026 T20 World Cup will be held across 12 venues in India and four in Sri Lanka. ICC data suggests 70% of the night games in this region will be prone to dew. So, preparing for it is not optional, it’s mandatory. BCCI selectors have been testing “bowling options… for dew management” in domestic T20s, according to an anonymous source via PTI on January 26.
The ICC itself has acknowledged the issue. Their December 2025 press release mentioned “dew protocols” which include using hybrid pitches and even pushing for 7 PM starts for some games. This shows how seriously everyone is taking the dew impact. India’s own white paper from November 2025 emphasized pacers with variations for the 2026 edition. Arshdeep fits that bill.
The Pace Attack Puzzle
Arshdeep is already projected to be a death-over specialist alongside Bumrah. India’s current pace attack includes Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Mohammed Siraj. Siraj has 8 wickets in his last 5 T20Is. Bumrah’s strengths are his incredible yorker accuracy, landing 45% of them in T20Is. But Kumble’s insight suggests dew might impact that consistency. It’s about adapting to conditions, not just raw skill.
As of January 27, neither Arshdeep Singh nor Jasprit Bumrah has responded directly to Kumble’s comments. The BCCI’s social media has made references to dew strategies but hasn’t named specific bowlers. It will be interesting to see how the team management integrates this thinking into their final squad selection and game plans. Kumble’s words give us a look into the nuanced challenges India faces at home.
Baishali Karmakar 
Govind Singh 
Soureesh Datta