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India and England are currently battling it out in the second semi-final in Guyana on Thursday, both vying for a spot in the T20 World Cup final. Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has tipped India as favorites to advance.
Speaking on Geo News, Ahmed Shehzad highlighted India’s unbeaten streak leading up to the semi-final as a key factor. He noted India’s adept adjustment to Caribbean conditions, particularly with the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav during the Super 8s.
Shehzad praised Rohit Sharma’s leadership, describing him as a bold captain with astute strategies. He emphasized Rohit’s tactical decisions, such as adapting the team composition based on varying pitch conditions.
Additionally, Shehzad commended India’s versatility, noting their ability to perform in diverse playing conditions. He applauded the team’s thorough preparation for the T20 World Cup, citing Rohit’s articulate discussions about their readiness during post-match interactions.
Ahmed Shehzad praises Rohit Sharma’s leadership as captain of Team India.
Rohit in his post-match interaction with Harsha Bhogle said that we are not under any pressure. We just make sure that we do our process and control what is in our control and try to execute our plan well”.
He emphasized that India, under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, remains focused and well-prepared ahead of each game. Shehzad expressed his view that India currently appears to be the strongest team in contention to win the World Cup. However, he initially favored Afghanistan, who are now out of the tournament after their loss to South Africa in the semi-final.
Regarding the India vs England semi-final, there are concerns about rain potentially affecting the match. If the game is washed out, India would qualify for the final due to their higher standing in the Super 8 points table. There is no reserve day scheduled for the match, but it can be extended up to 250 minutes before overs start to be reduced.
Reflecting on India’s journey, he noted their defeat to England in the previous T20 World Cup semi-final but highlighted their unbeaten record this time around. Addressing a press conference, Shehzad remarked that knowing the venue of the semi-final doesn’t necessarily give India an advantage. He added that it is the ICC’s responsibility to ensure India arrives at the venue on time, particularly amid concerns about rain potentially disrupting play.
