Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has claimed that India needed the blow, and it is good that it has come early in their campaign, as this would give them some time to strategise their campaign accordingly. A loss later in the Super-8 would have ended their qualification hopes; however, they can look to level up their game against Zimbabwe and the West Indies.
India qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 stage as an undefeated side since the previous edition of this tournament. Their last defeat in the ICC event came back in 2022, before the first match of this edition against South Africa.
The Rohit Sharma-led side was undefeated in 2024, as was Suryakumar’s side in the four group-stage matches this season, before they were handed an unexpected jolt by the Proteas in their Super-8 opener. South Africa defeated India by a whopping 76 runs.
“It might just be the shake-up India needed,” opined Ravi Shastri
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has once again minced no words to opine that India needed the defeat, which could function just as an initial jolt for the World Cup. He said that this would still keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
On the ICC Review, Ravi Shastri gave his latest opinion on India’s early setback in the campaign and said that this would leave them with time to reassess their strategies for the remainder of the games in the competition.
“I’m actually glad it’s happened early, especially against a team that’s tipped to make the semi-finals anyway. It might just be the shake-up India needed. It could also force them to rethink their strategy and the composition of the side going forward. I’m sure they’ll bounce back,” said Ravi Shastri.
They would have learned from that experience and won’t take things for granted. In the Super 8, if you lose another game, you’re really putting yourself under serious pressure,” he added.
Ravi Shastri weighed in on Axar Patel’s comeback ahead of the Zimbabwe game
Another major controversy that erupted was the sudden change in plans to go with Washington Sundar instead of World Cup-winning all-rounder Axar Patel, who is also the vice-captain of the Indian side. He opined that Axar should return against Zimbabwe, who have more right-handed batters, and Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie‘s success against them was evident.
“I think they’ve got to bring him back. You need that experience. I’d say play both if you can, give yourself that extra option, because on any given day, one bowler is bound to have an off day. For example, Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t at his best yesterday and paid the price for it. So you need that backup,” Ravi Shastri opined.
Bringing back Axar would mean India could bat deep till no. 8, as they already had Hardik and Dube batting at no. 5 and 6, and Washington Sundar could also be played at no. 7 as the second spinner all-rounder; however, under such a scenario, they would have to drop the finishing expert Rinku Singh.
India’s semi-final chances in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India might have had a huge setback, and even their run rate has been affected by the massive blow. India’s semi-final chances have been cut short by a small margin; however, a lot depends on the next South Africa vs West Indies match.
Though India would have to win the Zimbabwe match, and that too by a massive margin, close to what the West Indies did, their focus would be on the other match to see if South Africa wins over the West Indies. Under such a scenario, just a win against Zimbabwe and the West Indies could see India through to the final.
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