Home
The hosts India have been dubbed favourites to win against Aiden Markram-led South Africa by their legendary pace-bowling all-rounder Shaun Pollock. As South Africa gear up for a rematch of T20 World Cup 2024 final, Pollock has picked Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah who will be crucial for the Proteas to tackle in their first Super 8 encounter of the ICC men's T20 World Cup 2026.
“I think South Africa and India have personnel who match each other on the day [but] I think the batting line-ups cancel each other out. The point of difference is in two bowlers, Bumrah and Chakravarthy,” Pollock was quoted as saying by The Sowetan newspaper.
“South Africa have quality, but it’s the rare nature of the way they deliver the ball that gives them an edge.”
Pollock feels that Chakravarthy can dictate terms in the middle overs whereas Bumrah can be menacing in the powerplay and in death overs.
“Chakravarthy controls the middle overs for them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a left-hander or a right-hander, he is a guy who can dictate terms,” Pollock said.
ALSO READ: 'Markram is more than a useful off-spinner': Ex-SA opener warns India ahead of Super 8 clash
“He (Bumrah) has a wonderful wrist position. He bowls brilliantly with the new ball in the Powerplay, does the same in the middle [period of the innings] and his death bowling is exceptional,” he added.
Chakravarthy and Bumrah’s impressive T20 WC 2026 numbers
Chakravarthy is joint-highest leading wicket-taker in the tournament. From four games, he has claimed nine wickets at an average of 6.88. His economy rate is exceptional at 5.16 runs per over. Bumrah has bagged just four wickets from three games at an average of 13.50 but he has kept a lid on runs as well, conceding at six runs per over.
Pollock feels SA missing a mystery spinner
Pollock feels South Africa may miss the services of someone like Tabraiz Shamsi who is capable of making an impact against both right-handed and left-handed batters.
“If we had a mystery spinner, like for example [Tabraiz] Shamsi, South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in T20s, who provides the option of a bowler who can spin it away from the left-hander and right-hander, it just gives you more control,” Pollock opined.
However, Shamsi has a poor record in Indian conditions. From seven T20Is he has played against India in India, the left-arm chinaman bowler has three wickets at an average of 57.
ADVERTISEMENT
