South Africa's Shamsi will leak runs against India: Robin Uthappa ahead of big final
South Africa's Shamsi will leak runs against India: Robin Uthappa ahead of big final
Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes that South Africa spinner Tarbaiz Shamsi will concede big runs against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final on June 29 in Barbados.Uthappa explained that Shamsi would be expensive in the big final, highlighting how India skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have been effective against spin throughout the Super 8 stage. Despite bagging 11 wickets throughout the tournament, Shamsi is highly speculated to be dropped for the big final due to his tendency of leaking too many runs on a batting-friendly surface.
Shamsi has found brilliant form with the ball since the T20 World Cup clicked into a crucial stage for the Aiden Markram-led South Africa side. In their crucial Super 8 clash against West Indies, Shamsi's Player of the match performance with his 3/27 spell became the decisive factor in booking a semi-final spot for the Proteas. The 34-year-old extended his brilliance with yet another pivotal 3/6 spell in South Africa's semi-final win against Afghanistan. However, the Super 8 stage also saw Shamsi concede 50 runs against the USA in the Super 8, and get dropped from their following clash against England forOttneil Baartman, and then make a return in the West Indies game.
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Speaking on R Ashwin's recent YouTube video 'Judgement Day', Uthappa explained how Baartman featuring in the final is much more risky for India than facing Shamsi.
" As far as I am concerned, if Shamsi is playing, I will be damn happy, especially in Barbados. And if Baartman is playing, I will be like, we have to be a little wary. Who would I prefer between these two? Definitely, Shamsi. I know that he will give runs. Even if he takes a wicket, I don't care. If he takes 40-45-50 runs, I am done. Because in India's current batting approach, even if he takes a wicket, it's not a big deal," Uthappa said.
Similarly, Ashwin followed up on the same route as that of Uthappa and explained how Rohit and Suryakumar might punish Shamsi.
" Shamsi is one bowler who will go for sweeps. And India has been sweeping. Adil Rashid, (Liam) Livingstone was slightly quicker through the area. They were able to get 39 runs along with Jordan and Sam Curran. I see this as a very important match-up. And hence, I believe South Africa should seriously consider playing (Ottniel) Baartman ahead of Shamsi for the final," Ashwin added.
It will be interesting to see whether the Proteas skipper Aiden Markram strays away from the playing XI that brought the side success in the more crucial stage of this T20 World Cup, or opts for much of the same against India in the big final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
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