Ex-South Africa Captain Names Two India Stars as Key in T20 World Cup Super 8 Clash
Shaun Pollock highlights India’s pace and spin duo as potential match-winners ahead of Feb 22 showdown in Ahmedabad.
Africa, Feb 20 : Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has identified Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy as decisive factors for India when they face South Africa in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on February 22. The two sides were also finalists in the 2024 edition.
Speaking at the SuperSport ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Round Table, Pollock acknowledged that both teams possess players capable of countering each other. However, he believes India’s combination of pace and spin gives them a potential edge.
“I think South Africa and India have personnel who can match each other on a day. But when I look at the lineups, the point of difference for me is the two bowlers, Bumrah and Chakravarthy,” Pollock said.
Pollock highlighted the uniqueness of the duo’s skills. “Bumrah is very unorthodox, with exceptional wrist position. He bowls brilliantly in Powerplays, middle overs, and at the death. Chakaravarthy controls the middle overs and can challenge any batsman, left or right handed. Their style gives India a slight edge,” he added.
While India also boast bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and all rounder Hardik Pandya, Pollock suggested the outcome of the Super 8 match may hinge on how well South Africa handle Bumrah with the new ball and at the death, and manage Varun during the middle overs.
