India’s hopes for T20 World Cup glory in the United States and West Indies are high, inspired by the heartache of losing the 50-over Cricket World Cup final on home soil and the experience of a balanced side, according to veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara.
India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5. They will then face Pakistan on June 9, followed by fixtures against the United States on June 12 and Canada on June 15. Sharma, a seasoned player, has participated in all eight editions of the T20 World Cup so far.
“We [India] have enough balance in the team, but it won’t be easy because we will be playing in the US and West Indies where pitches are slightly different,” Pujara told Al Jazeera in London. He emphasized that the varying ground conditions will be a challenge, but he is confident that the team is prepared.
India’s squad blends experience with youth, a mix Pujara believes is crucial for success in the shorter format of the game. He highlighted the importance of key players like middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal, at 22, will open the batting alongside captain Sharma.
Pujara warned against complacency, particularly in the Caribbean stages of the tournament. “The US and West Indies are venues where you need to be on top of your game because the pitches change as the tournament progresses,” he noted.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack, supported by spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Pujara praised Jadeja’s all-round capabilities, emphasizing his crucial role in the team.
Reflecting on India’s loss in the 50-over World Cup final, Pujara expressed optimism that the team would draw motivation from that experience. “It [50-over World Cup] will be an inspiration because there were a lot of positives that they can take into the T20 World Cup as well,” he said.
India’s talismanic batter Virat Kohli, fresh off a top-scoring performance in the IPL, and the player of the tournament at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, will be pivotal in India’s quest for the title. Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to a T20 series victory against Australia last year, and Jasprit Bumrah, regarded as one of the world’s finest bowlers, are also key to India’s strategy.
As India aims for another T20 World Cup final, Pujara urged the team to focus on one game at a time, building momentum towards the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy on June 29 in Barbados.
