Former England spinner Monty Panesar spoke highly of Team India and has backed Virat Kohli’s unit to make it to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman. India have not won the T20 World Cup since winning the inaugural edition in 2007. The Men in Blue are also yet to win an ICC trophy under Virat Kohli’s leadership and this will be the last tournament where Kohli captains the Indian team in the T20 format.
Monty Panesar considers India as the strong favourites and he also mentioned that Virat Kohli will be desperate to deliver an ICC title in his final assignment as the T20I captain of India. “India are going to be strong favorites. They will be entering the tournament as title favorites. I reckon they will be making it to the final for sure.
“Virat is aiming for an ICC title win as captain. And he won’t leave this chance easily. This will be his last tournament as T20I captain and he is looking hungry for an ICC title,” Panesar told Times of India.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Panesar considers Pakistan to be an unpredictable team. On their day, they can beat any team in the world but are also capable of defeating their own selves. The former England cricketer thinks India, who are yet to be defeated by Pakistan in a World Cup fixture, will have the upper hand in this clash.
“You just can’t predict Pakistan. Only Pakistan can beat Pakistan. On their day, they can beat any team in the world. Pakistan are really motivated this time and wouldn’t spare any team. But India will have an upper hand, considering their overall records against Pakistan. Pakistan will be under pressure, not India,” said Monty Panesar.
The 39-year-old also talked about the importance of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in the Pakistan lineup. Afridi is an excellent fast bowler who can take the game to the talented Indian batting order and Babar Azam is among the best batters in the world. Panesar also opined that if India can get the wicket of Babar early in the match, then things could get really bad for Pakistan.
“For Pakistan, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi (are the key). Shaheen is a wonderful left-arm seamer and he will eye more and more Indian wickets. I am sure Virat and KL Rahul have enough practice against the left-arm seamers. If India bowlers get rid of Babar Azam early, they can destroy Pakistan like a pack of cards,” concluded Monty Panesar.
