Former fast bowler S Sreesanth has issued a warning to the Indian team ahead of their mega clash against arch-rival Pakistan in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup began on Sunday (June 2) with the match between co-hosts the United States and Canada. On the other hand, the Indian and Pakistani teams are scheduled to face each other on June 9 in New York. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this year. The last time they met was in the ODI World Cup last year, when India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the league stage.
India will start the match against the Men in Green as favourites, but S Sreesanth has sent them a timely reminder. The T20 World Cup winner warned the Indian team that they could be in trouble if they fail to take the wickets of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan during the powerplay.
S Sreesanth’s advice for Team India:
Speaking on Star Sports, S Sreesanth said that he would like to see Jasprit Bumrah open the bowling for Team India to nullify the threat of Babar and Rizwan. The former cricketer said that while Arshdeep Singh could trouble Pakistan’s stars like he did in the T20 World Cup 2022, he would prefer the more experienced Bumrah to start the process with the ball.
“It will be worth seeing who puts the new ball. If Arshdeep bowls the first one on who made him fight, we have seen his weakness before.
“When they start attacking, if they don’t stop the runs, they will knock out a lot of players. I think if we don’t get wickets in the powerplay, the match between Pakistan and India will be very difficult. I think on June 9, India needs to pick a wicket in the first over,” Sreesanth said.
“I want Bumrah to come first and bowl first. We have heard who will take the new ball, but I think if you are watching Bumrah, finish Rizwan and Babar first,” Sreesanth added.
Meanwhile, Team India will open their T20 World Cup campaign on Wednesday (June 5) against Ireland. On the other hand, Pakistan will face the United States on June 6 in its first match of the competition.
