Top News

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded India’s spirited comeback against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but cautioned that their upcoming clash against the West Indies will present a far tougher challenge.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Gavaskar admitted that the heavy defeat to South Africa could have dented the team’s morale. However, he praised the players for responding in emphatic fashion against Sikandar Raza’s Zimbabwe.

“India bounced back strongly after the South Africa loss with a dominant win over Zimbabwe. The margin of that defeat could have shaken the players, but they turned it into motivation and responded brilliantly,” Gavaskar said.

Changes in XI Pay Off

Gavaskar highlighted that the two changes in the playing XI proved decisive. Sanju Samson, although unable to convert his start into a half-century, injected much-needed momentum at the top of the order.

“Earlier, the openers were struggling, with Abhishek Sharma registering three ducks and Ishan Kishan falling for a zero against South Africa. Against Zimbabwe, Samson’s quick 24 made a difference. He and Abhishek scored at over 10 runs per over during the Powerplay, which set the tone,” he observed.

He also praised the bowling unit’s improvement, particularly Axar Patel’s disciplined lines and wicket-taking impact — an area that lacked sharpness in the previous outing.

Batting Firepower on Display

India posted a mammoth 256 for 4 — the highest total of this edition and the second-highest in the tournament’s history — thanks to collective contributions from the top six.

Abhishek Sharma – 55

Sanju Samson – 24

Ishan Kishan – 38

Suryakumar Yadav – 33

Hardik Pandya – 50

Tilak Varma – 44

Praising Abhishek Sharma’s knock, Gavaskar said the young left-hander showcased maturity beyond his years.

“We know Abhishek’s talent. This 55 silenced his critics. There was clear method in his approach — he respected the off-spinner, avoided unnecessary risks, and even defended balls calmly, which we don’t usually see from him,” Gavaskar remarked.

He added that such phases are part of every cricketer’s journey and adapting during tough times helps shape long-term growth.

West Indies Pose a Bigger Threat

Looking ahead to Sunday’s virtual knockout in Kolkata, Gavaskar warned that the West Indies will be a completely different challenge.

“As they say, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it — but India were broken against South Africa. They recognised the need for a right-left opening combination and adapted. Learning from mistakes was crucial,” he said.

“West Indies cannot be underestimated. Their batters are in outstanding form and their bowlers are performing well. They attack from ball one and punish errors. India will need clear strategies and smart execution. It promises to be a cracking contest.”

The winner of the match will claim the final semi-final berth from the group.