So far in the 2017 T20 World Cup, the hitters have found assistance on Barbados’ Kensington Oval. The Rohit Sharma-led team of India scored 181 runs in the first innings of their match against Afghanistan, which was held on the same pitch. With the exception of Rashid Khan, who is well acquainted with the Indian players, the other spinners in that match did not perform well. On June 29, former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that South Africa could have the same outcome.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: Final, India vs South Africa Match Preview
Throughout the competition, Keshav Maharaj has been South Africa’s go-to spinner. With an average of 16.88, the 34-year-old has claimed nine wickets in seven games and is a strong candidate to start the championship match against India. For Tabraiz Shamsi, this is not the case. The team captained by Aiden Markram hasn’t utilised the leg-spinner enough in the tournament, despite his outstanding performance of 11 wickets.
He only played in situations that provided spin, and for the same reason, South Africa might think about adding Ottneil Baartman as a seamer. Robin Uthappa, a former cricket player for India, thinks it would be fantastic for the country if Shamsi is approved. The spinner can give up runs, he continued, considering the way Indian hitters have performed thus far.
“In my opinion, and especially in Barbados, I will be extremely thrilled if Shamsi is playing. We need to exercise caution if Baartman is playing, I will say. Which of these two would I prefer? Indeed, Shamsi. I’m sure he’ll score runs. I could care less if he takes a wicket. I’m done if he takes forty-five to fifty runs. In the most recent Ravichandran Ashwin YouTube video, “Judgement Day,” Uthappa stated, “Because of India’s current batting strategy, even if he takes a wicket, it’s not a big deal.”
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin concurred with Uthappa’s remarks, pointing out that Indian players loved sweeping and that they would be fun to play against Shamsi. But he thinks Baartman would start the spinner in the starting eleven.
India
