As his successive, successful stints with England’s domestic Twenty20 champions Middlesex prove, Murali Kartik is one of India’s finest and most experienced bowlers in the shortest format of the game.

On Saturday, the left-arm spinner dropped in at Lord’s, where Team India were practising ahead of their warm-up game against New Zealand on Monday. An expert on how to tackle the English conditions, Kartik shares with The Indian Express his views on various factors expected to play an important role in India’s bid to defend their World Twenty20 crown.

On pitch and climatic conditions

There will be substantial lateral movement for the new-ball bowlers, and the first six overs will be difficult for the batsmen. However, the pitch at Lord’s and Trent Bridge is generally on the flatter side, with the ball coming nicely on to the bat.

I think Trent Bridge (India play both their group matches here) will be an ideal wicket for the Indian batsmen to prosper. The temperature hovers around 20-22 degrees, which may be hot for the English, but pleasant for us. Mostly, the wickets in England tend to get slower and aid turn if the sun continuously beats down for a week. Although it’s not a lengthy tournament, spinners might come into effect in the latter part as everyone is expecting a good summer.

On the likely par score for the tournament

I expect it to be around 160. If the team batting first reaches the mark, they should win the game eight times out of 10.

... contd.