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Former fast-bowler S Sreesanth has delivered a cautionary message to Team India ahead of their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup commenced on Sunday (June 2) with the match between co-hosts USA and Canada. Meanwhile, Team India and Pakistan are set to square off on June 9 in New York. This encounter marks their first meeting this year, with their last face-off occurring in the ODI World Cup, where India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the league stage.
While India enters the match as the favorites, S Sreesanth has offered a timely reminder. The T20 World Cup winner has cautioned Team India that they could face significant challenges if they fail to dismiss Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan during the powerplay.
S Sreesanth’s counsel for Team India:
During his appearance on Star Sports, S Sreesanth expressed his preference for Jasprit Bumrah to open the bowling for Team India as a strategic move to counter the threat posed by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The former cricketer acknowledged that while Arshdeep Singh has the capability to trouble the Pakistani stars, based on his performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, he personally favors the experience and skill of Bumrah to initiate the bowling attack.
“It will be worth seeing who is putting the new ball. If Arshdeep bowl the first over who made him struggle, We have seen their weakness before.
“When they start attacking, if they don’t stop the runs, they will knock out a lot of bowlers. I think if we don’t get the wickets in the powerplay, the match between Pakistan and India will be very tough. I think on 9th June, India needs to pick a wicket in the first over,” said Sreesanth.
“I want Bumrah to come first and bowl the first over. We have heard that who will take the new ball, but I think if you are watching Bumrah, please finish Rizwan and Babar first” added Sreesanth.
Meanwhile, Team India is set to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday (June 5). Conversely, Pakistan will face off against the USA on June 6 in their inaugural match of the tournament.
