'India picking 4 spinners for T20 World Cup not...': Courtney Walsh
‘India picking 4 spinners for T20 World Cup not…’: Courtney Walsh
NEW DELHI: West Indies pace legend Courtney Walsh expressed no surprise at India’s strategic move to include four spinners in their T20 World Cup squad, citing it as a strategic alignment with their strengths.
India’s selectors recently announced the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in their 15-man squad for the prestigious event, scheduled to commence on June 1 in the USA and West Indies.
“India picking four spinners I’m not surprised… it seems to be their strength,” Walsh told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of the Big Cricket League.
“West Indies have picked three spinners. It’s going to be different conditions and everybody has to balance the team,” Walsh added.
India’s skipper Rohit Sharma recently revealed his preference for having four spinners in the side, though he didn’t explicitly state the rationale behind this decision. Speculation suggests it could be due to the slow and sluggish wickets expected in the West Indies or the unusually early starts.
Walsh, a highly esteemed figure in cricketing circles, believes that India’s choice aligns with their potential challenges on the pitch. He further acknowledges that India possesses a quality pace-bowling unit to complement their spinners, indicating a balanced approach to their bowling lineup.
“India still have quality fast bowlers, most of the teams do, so it will be a very competitive tournament. The majority of the teams have good-quality fast bowlers and spinners.
“It’s (the tournament) going to be dominated by the bat possibly. But it is difficult to predict who is going to win it, difficult to predict which bowler is going to be a standout. The teams that execute well will be successful.”
With West Indies co-hosting the tournament, former captain Courtney Walsh holds an optimistic outlook on the two-time champions’ prospects at the upcoming T20 World Cup this summer.
“I’m expecting them to do very well. It’s a nice balanced team and I am very optimistic that they’ll play quality cricket. The group is not the easiest but once we reach the super sixes, there’s a really good chance.”
The first bowler to achieve the historic milestone of 500 Test wickets, gracing the cricketing field from 1984 to 2001, was none other than Walsh himself. Over the course of his illustrious career spanning 17 years, Walsh claimed a total of 519 scalps from 132 Tests.
Partnered with another legendary fast bowler, Curtly Ambrose, Walsh formed one of the most formidable and iconic pace-bowling pairs in cricketing history.
Remarkably, Walsh enjoyed a relatively injury-free career, a testament to his exceptional skill, endurance, and dedication to the game.
Asked what advice he’ll give to Bumrah, Walsh said, “Stay fit, have fun. The more you play the more experienced you get.”
“It’s all about managing the injuries well. That will help him become fitter, stronger and better. You can only play if you are fit enough.”
West Indies have to protect Shamar Joseph
Young pace sensation Joseph captured the cricketing world’s attention earlier this year with his remarkable skills, playing a pivotal role in bowling West Indies to their first Test victory in Australia in 27 years.
Amidst the trend of Caribbean players participating in various T20 leagues worldwide, Walsh emphasises the importance of protecting the 24-year-old Joseph to ensure a sustainable and prosperous career for the promising talent.
“West Indies have to (protect him), he’s got to protect himself. When I watch his interviews he has a very level head, which is very, very good to see. He loves the game, has passion for the game.
“I think the West Indies have to make sure to look after him. Keep him injury-free for longevity. It’s early days yet but I’m very excited to see what he does.
“I know he hasn’t played a lot of games here in India in the IPL but being here as well soaking up the atmosphere will do a lot,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
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