Young and old combine in India's T20 World Cup bowling effort

After the disappointment of the 2021 campaign, of which there was certain to be soul-searching, India's best have spent most of their time refining their T20 craft.

Whether it be across several international bilateral series, or impressing at the IPL, dozens flourished during auditions. It would never be a problem to find eleven world class players to make up the team - the bigger problem would be finding those priming at the right time, in a rhythm, and most likely to deliver to the stratospheric expectations.

Selectors and coaches were clear, with a "win now" mentality, and it's meant that no player was ever to be ruled out. Dinesh Karthik's international renaissance embodies this, earning a T20 World Cup squad spot in the middle of a playing purple patch, irrespective of other professional endeavours, from providing insight on The ICC Review, to various television commentary stints.

Though what looks more encouraging is the depth in the bowling stocks. While an elder statesman in the playing group, Mohammad Shami was only brought into the squad at the eleventh hour following Jasprit Bumrah's injury before the event. Channelling his experience of Australia, with subtle variations keeping opposition batters on their toes, Shami has been able to hit the ground running.

By contrast, 23-year-old Arshdeep Singh is a fresher face in the group, though belied global tournament experience with his dazzling first T20 World Cup impression. The left-armer claimed Babar Azam lbw with his first delivery at the event, before removing Mohammad Rizwan in his next over, extracting bounce at the MCG and finding the top edge of the wicket-keeper/batter's bat. He returned to also pepper Asif Ali, catching the right-hander off-guard with another short ball, leading to a simple grab for Karthik. All of a sudden, Arshdeep's name looks a certainty on future team-sheets.

Overlooking the bowling attack is former India international Paras Mhambrey. On duty to help his compatriots deliver T20 World Cup glory to 1.4 billion people, Mhambrey is full of praise for the group, and in particular the two men who have had to find their feet quickly.

Speaking ahead of India's clash with the Netherlands, Mhambrey spoke at length about the group, starting with Shami's performances not only as a man re-entering the fray, but also recovering from Covid earlier in the month.

"Look, in his case, he's a very experienced, very seasoned bowler."

"You know what you're going to get from him, that was sure, but the important bit was how he turned up after COVID, and we were pretty happy with the recovery."

With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep primarily moving the ball in the same direction, Shami's goal of subtle variations off the surface provide a point of difference.

"He was looking forward to this tournament and started with the first over that he bowled in Australia," Mhambrey continued.

"He looked in great rhythm, and I think that also gave us the confidence of knowing what you're going to get from Shami. But he's a champion bowler, no doubt."

There's no doubt the high stakes and high standard of the IPL has helped young Arshdeep's mentality, and the 13 T20 international appearances before the T20 World Cup appears to have hardened the left-armer for more telling tests.

"I think the one thing really stands out with that kid is his ability to handle pressure," Mhambrey began on Arshdeep.

"He does two different phases in the format he bowls, that is the first powerplay and the death overs. The composure he's shown, the clarity of thought process that he's shown, he's a great kid.

"The quality he's shown with the way he's come in and the ability to handle pressure is phenomenal, and I think I'm not really surprised the way he's bowled in the first game."

While a deserving inclusion on merit alone, Arshdeep is a sponge of the group according to Mhambrey, yearning to take in the lessons of which there are many around him in the group.

"He's the kind of guy who likes to talk a lot and he has a chat with the senior guys, and I've seen him discussing a lot with Bhuvi (Kumar) and Shami as well, because those guys have played out here.

"So the kind of learning that he's taking, he's trying to implement that in a game. Obviously having a chat and understanding what is required, but to be able to go out there and execute it and do it yourself as individual skills comes in. In that sense I give the credit to him."

Mhambrey confirmed that the entire squad is available for the Netherlands match, quashing murmurs of injuries in the India camp after their incredible victory on Sunday.

With a busy schedule in the coming days, Mhambrey said the players are offered optional training to refine, and have no plans to rest players at certain stages of the event.

"Before the game we always leave it up to the bowlers how much they want to work."

"I think we're pretty thought out in terms of the planning, how we want to go about it, and I think from here on, every session that we have left is an optional one, so in terms of the maintenance, in terms of the physiotherapy, it's important to have them in the best shape going into every game."