New Delhi: India finished their campaign in Group A in the T20 World Cup undefeated and topped the group. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh reviewed the Indian campaign so far in the tournament and supported Rishabh Pant to continue batting at number three in the Super Eight.
The former Indian spinner explained Pant’s coming at number three, saying that it maintains a left-right balance which poses a tough challenge for any bowling unit.
Pant has been the top scorer for the Indian team so far in the tournament. He has scored 96 runs in three innings on the difficult pitch of New York while all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the highest wicket-taker along with left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. Both have taken seven wickets each.
Harbhajan said on Star Sports that playing Rishabh Pant at number 3 is a big positive. When Rishabh Pant plays at number 3, a left-right combination is formed. There are a lot of positives in this. Of course, there are challenges and difficulties. But challenges come to those who are brave. This team is a team of brave players, they fought well and played very well. Due to this, they topped the group.
The former bowler called Pandya’s contribution in the showpiece event as the biggest positive for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
The biggest positive is that Hardik Pandya took wickets. He was the fourth bowler in this tournament. But if you look at his wicket count, he has done much better than what was expected of him. Along with him, Rishabh Pant also played at No. 3. His role had completely changed before this World Cup, we were saying that Sanju Samson will play in the team because he has scored big runs.
Harbhajan also recalled Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional spell against Pakistan, which changed the momentum of the match and helped India beat their arch-rivals.
The biggest positive is that when you are in trouble, how do you get out of it? That day, some player raised his hand and did his job. Jasprit Bumrah’s magic, Rizwan hit a bad shot and got out, after that the energy shown by the team was commendable, those who were sleeping woke up and took the match out of that situation by defending a small score. He said that winning the match from their claws against Pakistan was not a common thing.
India will take on Afghanistan in their first Super Eight match in Barbados on June 20.
