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Kumble Warns India: Don't Underestimate Zimbabwe in Must-Win T20 Clash

Former India legend Anil Kumble has emphasized that the Indian team must play their aggressive brand of cricket while showing full respect to a dangerous Zimbabwe side. He highlighted Zimbabwe's impressive wins over Australia and Sri Lanka, noting their in-form batters and effective fast bowlers. With both teams needing victory after Super 8 losses, the match is crucial for knockout qualification. Kumble stressed that India cannot afford any complacency and every individual must deliver in the high-stakes encounter.

Key Points: Anil Kumble's Advice for India vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup Match

  • India in must-win Super 8 situation
  • Zimbabwe beat Australia in group stage
  • Kumble warns against taking opponents lightly
  • Zimbabwe's top order and pace attack praised
  • Net run-rate adds pressure for both teams
2 min read

India need to play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket against Zimbabwe: Kumble

Former spinner Anil Kumble urges India to play aggressive cricket but respect a dangerous Zimbabwe side in a crucial Super 8 T20 World Cup fixture.

"India need to play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket against Zimbabwe. But Zimbabwe are going to be a tough opponent, and they must be respected. - Anil Kumble"

New Delhi, Feb 26

Ahead of India's must-win Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, former India spinner Anil Kumble suggested the Suryakumar Yadav-led side not take the African nation lightly and play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket.

With the defeat to South Africa in their first Super 8 game, India found themselves in a tricky situation. They will be looking to beat West Indies and Zimbabwe to have some control over their chances of making the knockouts.

"India need to play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket against Zimbabwe. But Zimbabwe are going to be a tough opponent, and they must be respected. They have delivered some strong performances. They beat Australia. They chased down 179 against Sri Lanka on Sri Lankan soil.

"They have convincingly beaten Australia. Their top four batters have been in excellent form. Their tall fast bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, have been outstanding with the ball, especially in the powerplay," Kumble said on JioHotstar.

Zimbabwe had a dream run in the ongoing tournament and were unbeaten in their group stage fixtures. But their campaign hit a major hurdle after their brutal loss to the Windies in the first Super 8 match, which leaves them further behind India on net run-rate. To now have any chance of progressing past the Super Eight stage, they must now beat both India and South Africa convincingly.

"India cannot take them lightly. They need to be at the top of their game. Any individual who gets going must make it count. You cannot assume the next batter will do the job. In the T20 World Cup, there are no ifs and buts. You have to go out and deliver as an individual. So yes, you hope for the right result, but India must focus on doing what they need to do," he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respectfully, I think the focus on "aggressive brand" is a bit overdone. Sometimes we need smart, calculated cricket, not just aggression. Zimbabwe beat Australia, remember? We need to play the situation.
R
Rohit P
Jumbo always speaks sense. No underestimating the opponent. Their tall fast bowlers could be a real threat on those Caribbean pitches. Hope our batters are prepared for the bounce.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US, but fully supporting Team India! The pressure is on, but this is when they usually perform best. Hope they play with freedom and not fear.
V
Vikram M
Net run rate could be crucial. We need a big win, not just a win. Aggressive cricket from the powerplay itself is the only way. No room for caution now. #MenInBlue
K
Karthik V
The key is the middle order. If Pant and Hardik fire, we can post or chase any total. Zimbabwe's confidence is down after the Windies loss, we must capitalise early.

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