Mohammad Kaif said that India’s bowling department could have a tough time in the Super 8 clash against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. Both teams are coming into this contest on the back of a flawless record in the group stage.
According to the former India batter, the Men in Blue could struggle in the eight overs that Hardik Pandya and either Axar Patel or Washington Sundar could bowl against a strong Proteas side. Talking about Axar, Kaif opined that the left-arm spinner is a good match-up for right-handers but not left-handers. Kaif also added that skipper Suryakumar Yadav bowled Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma against Pakistan in the group stage because he knows that his fifth and sixth bowlers are a concern.
“I am slightly concerned about our bowling. Bumrah, Arshdeep and Varun, take these 12 overs out. I am worried about Hardik’s four overs on this pitch. I am worried about the next four overs as well. The fifth and sixth bowlers are a concern. Rinku and Tilak bowled against Pakistan because Suryakumar knows this. Axar is a good match-up for right-handers but not for left-handers. Sundar played in Ahmedabad because South Africa have many left-handers,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif stated that the South African batters could look to play out Bumrah and Chakaravarthy’s overs cautiously and target the likes of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, among others.
Going to be a battle between their batting and our bowling: Kaif
Kaif said that South Africa’s batting lineup is in red-hot form, and the battle it will have with India’s bowling department could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the all-important fixture.
“The likes of Rickleton, De Kock, Markram, Miller, Stubbs, and Brevis have all played in Ahmedabad as well. They are in their prime form as far as batting is concerned. So it is going to be a battle between their batting and our bowling,” he said.
4 teams most likely to qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals
‘India has way too many left-handers’ – Mohammad Kaif bats for Sanju Samson’s inclusion in India vs South Africa Super 8 clash
‘When you’re a left-arm fast bowler in Pakistan, you look up to Wasim Akram’ – Saad Bin Zafar reflects on his idol while growing up [Exclusive]
‘The game has moved too fast’ – Babar Azam given reality check on T20 batting by former RCB captain
