Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes Zimbabwe is a bigger threat to India than West Indies amid Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026. The West Indies registered a comprehensive 107-run win against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.
Srikkanth said Zimbabwe will now play freely after suffering a huge loss against the West Indies. The former opener said India’s fortunes in the World Cup will now depend on the game between the West Indies and South Africa.
On Sunday, India suffered a 76-run loss against South Africa, which hampered their Net Run Rate. Furthermore, the Chepauk pitch is expected to assist the spinners and the batters have been found wanting against the spinners in the ongoing T20I showpiece.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “West Indies are one step ahead of India now with the crushing win over Zimbabwe. Everything boils down to the South Africa-West Indies match for India. Yet, playing on the Chennai wicket, Zimbabwe is a bigger threat to India than the West Indies.”
“Because now the West Indies have hopes of qualification whereas Zimbabwe has no hope, so they’ll play carefree cricket. It will be game over for India if South Africa beats West Indies. Though South Africa also has to beat Zimbabwe, then.”
The 1983 World Cup winning player said pressure of chasing a big score against South Africa made India batters slog and thus they were dismissed cheaply.
“It may look like the Indian batters slogged and got out against South Africa. But it’s the pressure of chasing a big score like 187, and how the openers, especially, are under immense pressure in such a case. Under that pressure, sometimes you’ll slog and get out. That’s why Ishan Kishan played that shot and got out. The mental pressure made them slog and get out,” he said (via the aforementioned source).
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
