Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes India can shut down their critics by qualifying for the semifinals and going all the way in the T20 World Cup. India’s qualification for the last four of the tournament is hanging by a thin thread after they suffered a huge loss of 76 runs against South Africa in the Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.
India had won all of their group stage matches, but they were simply outplayed by South Africa. Since the big loss, India’s team management and players have faced heavy criticism from experts.
India’s big loss had a huge hit on the team’s NRR, and after West Indies’ 107-run win against Zimbabwe, SKY team’s qualification has become even more complicated.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “The only way to answer back is through performance. Show everyone up by qualifying for the semi-final and winning the trophy. Do that, and everyone will shut up. Those who criticized will hail the same Indian team and praise a Suryakumar Yadav or an Abhishek Sharma.”
“But that’s how this sphere is. When things are going well, everyone will praise them glowingly. But when it goes wrong, everyone will stamp on you. The Indian team are also human beings so they can also make mistakes. But the only thing is that you should be immune to criticism and gracefully accept criticism.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player questioned the team’s decision to drop vice-captain Axar Patel for the all-important clash.
“Nobody is harsh on a player getting out or the side losing a match. It’s about how you lose the match and why you lose the match. Everyone was harsh on Axar Patel not being selected in the 11. None of us were harsh on Varun Chakaravarthy because one off-day can happen to anybody,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“Nobody wants to be harsh on Indian team. Everyone is only questioning the methodology and the team combination, especially how a guy who has been doing so well, like Axar Patel, wasn’t in the team.”
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
