“Play Like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi”: R Ashwin’s Bold Take as India Advance to Super 8
Defending champions brace for tougher opposition, with Ashwin praising team depth and T20 strategy.
India, Feb 20 : India have wrapped up their T20 World Cup group stage matches and now prepare for a sterner test in the Super 8s, facing formidable opponents including 2024 runners up South Africa, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. The defending champions swept the group stage, reinforcing their status as title contenders.
On Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin lauded India’s overall consistency while noting that the team’s batting performance against the Netherlands was not flawless. He highlighted Suryakumar Yadav’s anchoring role and praised Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh for accelerating the scoring at crucial moments.
“Surya played a very diligent knock. For the acceleration point, Dube, Hardik, and Rinku were there. India weren’t at their best with the bat, but even on an ordinary day, this team is tough to beat,” Ashwin said, also acknowledging Varun Chakaravarthy’s impressive bowling and Jasprit Bumrah’s swing and yorkers in the Powerplay.
Ashwin further discussed Tilak Varma’s approach in T20 cricket, especially as he returns from injury. He emphasized timing, placement, and finding the sweet spot over sheer power. “Tilak is not a big power hitter. Success in T20 isn’t just about strength. You can play like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, or like Tilak, relying on timing and picking gaps,” he explained.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Pakistan secured their Super 8 berth with a win over Namibia, joining India from Group A. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe advanced from Group B, the West Indies and England from Group C, while South Africa and New Zealand progressed from Group D.
With Australia and New Zealand already confirmed as co-hosts for the 2028 edition, all Super 8 qualifiers including India have now also secured entry for the next World Cup.
