(Credit PCB)
Wasim Akram sees Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory in IPL 2024 as beneficial for India. He also made a playful jab at the Indian team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
According to Akram, neither of the IPL 2024 finalists featured any Indian players who are set to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team. With the IPL final scheduled just five days before the World Cup, there were concerns about Indian players being fatigued if they had participated in the IPL final and then traveled to the United States for the tournament.
Wasim Akram says None of the Indian players will say they are tired.
In a conversation with Sportskeeda, ex-Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram expressed his belief that it’s advantageous for Team India that none of the players selected for the upcoming World Cup were involved in the IPL 2024 final.
“Well, now atleast none of them will have to say that they are tired. They were thinking ahead, what is the point of reaching the final, India is more important, we will play with the country. But it could be a blessing in disguise for India,” he said.
Akram also pointed out that during a broadcast, certain Pakistani experts speculated that because of their involvement in IPL 2024, some Indian players might be fatigued during their match against Pakistan in the league.
“We discussed in the previous show that I was worried that they might be tired, and they will be tired, no doubt. Even America is not their road. I think Pakistan’s first match is Dallas if I remember”, he said.
Now they will go and play there, one or two practice matches. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20, the boys will recover, nowadays fitness levels are very high,” he further added.
Interestingly, neither Sunrisers Hyderabad nor Kolkata Knight Riders featured any Indian players who are part of the T20 World Cup squad. Rinku Singh was the sole player from these teams included in the India squad, albeit as a reserve player.
India is set to take on Pakistan on June 6.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off on Saturday, June 1, spanning across the West Indies and the United States. India will commence their campaign against Ireland on June 5, followed by a clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, June 9.
The India-Pakistan showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter. Pakistan emerged victorious in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, while in the 2022 edition, they rattled the Indian team by reducing them to 30-4 during the chase. However, Virat Kohli’s heroics steered Team India to clinch the title, marking one of their most memorable victories.
Now, the anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry is set to unfold on American soil.
In other cricket news, Kolkata Knight Riders emerged triumphant over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final.
