T20 World Cup 2022: How can England use Adil Rashid to continue India's powerplay struggles?

However, one factor that went somewhat under the radar was the form of one player previously described as 'irreplaceable'. 

Adil Rashid had been in a poor run form recently, but England's team management has stuck with him, and they were vindicated in their decision when he performed well against Sri Lanka. 

In that game, he ended with figures of 1-16 and completely sucked the life out of Sri Lanka's batting line-up during the first innings. 

His showing can be of some concern for India, which have been struggling during the powerplay phases in recent times. 

Adil Rashid will be used partially during the powerplays, but how he operated against Sri Lanka indicates how he can be used against India too. 

During that game against Sri Lanka at Sydney, Adil Rashid came into the bowl in the sixth over, ultimately changing the game's balance. 

Sri Lanka had made a solid start, getting regular boundaries off the likes of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. However, Adil Rashid conceded two runs in the final powerplay and wiped out the opposition's momentum. 

He would concede only 14 more runs in the coming three overs while also picking up one wicket, and it showed one of his biggest strengths – the ability to dry up the flow of runs in the middle overs. 

It's worth noting that Adelaide, the venue of the semi-final match between India and England, is also a track that, like Sydney, does offer up some assistance to the spinners. 

And given India have been a slow starter in the powerplay during this World Cup, it will be a cause of concern that they will have to take on one of the best bowlers in white-ball cricket right after the end of the powerplays. 

It is worth noting that both KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are good players of spin, but attacking a player like Adil Rashid comes with the risk of throwing your wicket away. 

And while Adil Rashid hasn't taken too many wickets in recent times, his skipper Jos Buttler believes he's been unlucky and backed him to come good in the business end of the tournament. 

"I think many people always look at the end column, and maybe he hasn't picked up the wickets he usually does, but he has not bowled with much luck."

"A few chances were missed, but I still think he was bowling well and on surfaces like this he is a really tough customer to face." 

The luck seems to have finally returned for Adil Rashid, and if anything, it spells trouble for India – and might need a change of approach in the powerplays if they are to get through Adil Rashid's middle overs mastery.