The T20 World Cup has entered its knockout stages, and today all cricket fans across the globe will have their eyes glued on the Super 8 showdown between South Africa and India this afternoon.
In what will somewhat be a repeat of the T20 World Cup final in Barbados two years ago, the Proteas will be looking to get the much-needed revenge from an Indian side that broke their hearts when they were one step closer to clinching a major trophy.
The Proteas are in Group 1 of the Super 8, where they have been pitted against the West Indies, Zimbabwe and India.
Someone who has been there, done that, and knows a thing or two about how much of a big deal it is to win against India is legend Shaun Pollock, who believes the Proteas have some personnel in the team that can handle the threat posed by India.
“I think South Africa and India have personnel who can match each other on any day. So, Quinton [de Kock] can fire. He can match what Abhishek [Sharma] can do. Aiden [Markram] can fire and can match any player in the Indian team,” Pollock said at the SuperSport ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Round Table on Thursday.
“I’m just saying, when I look down at the lineups, I think for me, the point of difference is the two bowlers in [Jasprit] Bumrah and [Varun] Chakaravarthy.
“Not saying that South Africa doesn’t have some quality, but it’s just the rare nature of the way they kind of deliver the ball that gives them maybe that little bit of an edge.
“Bumrah is very unorthodox. He’s got a wonderful wrist position, he bowls brilliantly in the powerplays with a new ball, if he must in the middle, and his death bowling is exceptional as well. And then who controls the middle overs for them? Chakaravarthy. So, I think they’ve just got a little bit of an edge over us in that department.”
In saying that, Pollock backed the team to beat India, only if they bring their A-Game.
“I think this playing group has gone where no one else has gone. They played in a final, and they’ve got that experience of being involved in the heat of battle on the ultimate stage, which would have been a great learning curve for them.
“I think that I have learnt that they don’t have to produce the ultimate A+ game to win. And I think that’s the biggest learning that you get,” he added.
