Courtney Walsh Eyes India-West Indies T20 World Cup Virtual Quarterfinal Clash

West Indies bowling icon Courtney Walsh expressed his excitement for the crucial T20 World Cup Super Eight clash between India and West Indies, labeling it a virtual quarterfinal. The match in Kolkata will decide the second semifinalist from the group, with the winner facing England. Walsh believes the team that bowls better will win, given both sides possess exceptionally strong batting lineups filled with power-hitters. The encounter is a nostalgic repeat of the iconic 2016 semifinal where West Indies chased down 193 to defeat India.

Key Points: Courtney Walsh Previews India vs West Indies T20 WC Showdown

  • Virtual knockout for semifinal spot
  • Repeat of iconic 2016 semifinal
  • West Indies leads tournament in sixes
  • Bowling execution seen as key
  • Features power-hitters from both sides
3 min read

WI icon Courtney Walsh looking forward to mouth-watering T20WC virtual QF between India-West Indies

West Indies legend Courtney Walsh previews the crucial India vs West Indies T20 World Cup match, highlighting key players and bowling as the decisive factor.

"I think the teams that bowl better will come out winning this game because both teams are very strong batting. - Courtney Walsh"

New Delhi, February 28

Ahead of his side's T20 World Cup Super Eight clash against South Africa, Zimbabwe bowling consultant Courtney Walsh, a West Indies bowling icon, expressed his excitement for the virtual knockout clash between India and West Indies in Kolkata that will take place right after this cracking contest between two African teams at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

India will take on the West Indies at Kolkata's Eden Gardens for the spot of second semifinalist from group one in the Super Eight. With South Africa having earned their spot already, the winner of this clash will get to play England in the second semifinal taking place at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on March 5. The clash is a repeat of an iconic semifinal between both sides during the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup at Wankhede, where, despite Virat Kohli's scintillating 89* in 47 balls, WI chased down 193 set by Men in Blue with quickfire fifties from Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons and a power-packed 20-ball 43* from star all-rounder Andre Russell, giving Team India one of its biggest cricketing heartbreaks.

Now, 10 years later, these two teams, playing a fiery brand of cricket, will go on a six-hitting contest, with both sides having ferocious hitters. On one side are stars like Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube etc and on the other side are Shimron Hetmyer, skipper Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and others. In this tournament, WI has hit 66 maximums, the most by a team in a single T20 WC.

Speaking on Saturday during his side's pre-match presser, Walsh, the leading wicket-taker for WI across all formats, with 746 scalps taken from 1984-2001, said, "It is going to be a very exciting game. I do not know what the conditions might be like in Kolkata, obviously, that as a part to play. But I think the teams that bowl better will come out winning this game because both teams are very strong batting, good batting, quality batting. So I think the team that executes better with the ball will have the best chance of winning this game."

Squads: India Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav West Indies Squad: Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Johnson Charles, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this promises to be an absolute spectacle. 66 sixes from WI is a staggering stat. Eden Gardens under lights, two explosive teams... this is what T20 cricket is all about. May the best team win!
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Ananya R
Honestly, I'm a bit nervous. Our middle order looks strong on paper, but they need to deliver under pressure. West Indies are the kings of chasing. We must put up a big total if we bat first. Fingers crossed for SKY and Hardik to have a big day.
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Vikram M
Respect to Courtney Walsh for his balanced view. He's spot on about bowling. Our spinners - Kuldeep and Axar - need to be economical in the middle overs. Can't let Hetmyer and Rutherford get settled. It's time for revenge for 2016!
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Karthik V
While I'm excited, I hope the team management has a clear plan. Sometimes we seem to go in with a fixed mindset. We need to be flexible, especially with the batting order based on the situation. No room for ego, just team-first cricket.
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Priya S
Eden Gardens will be a sea of blue! The atmosphere alone will give our boys a 10-run advantage. Let's go, Men in Blue! Bring the cup home! 🏆

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