IND vs SA: Ashwin makes big Tabraiz Shamsi prediction for T20 World Cup final
India and South Africa are set to lock horns at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Saturday
Ravichandran Ashwin made a big prediction about South Africa’s left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi saying that he will be taken to the cleaners by Indian batters in the T20 World Cup 2024 final which is to be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Saturday.
This will be India’s second final in the T20 World Cup since 2014, when they lost to Sri Lanka, while the Proteas will make their first appearance in the final of any World Cup.
Talking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated that if South Africa play Tabraiz Shamsi, Indian batters will have no trouble in smashing him. He also stated that the Proteas should look for Ottniel Baartman for the final.
"Shamsi is one bowler who will go for sweeps. And India has been sweeping. Adil Rashid, [Liam] Livingstone was slightly quicker through the area. They were able to get 39 runs along with Jordan and Sam Curran. I see this as a very important match-up. And hence, I believe South Africa should seriously consider playing [Ottniel] Baartman ahead of Shamsi for the final," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Robin Uthappa, a former Indian batter, concurred with Ashwin and said that if Shamsi took the field in the final, he would be happy as he sees his conceding runs in Barbados.
"As far as I am concerned, if Shamsi is playing, I will be damn happy, especially in Barbados. And if Baartman is playing, I will be like, we have to be a little wary. Who would I prefer between these two? Definitely, Shamsi. I know that he will give runs. Even if he takes a wicket, I don't care. If he takes 40-45-50 runs, I am done. Because in India's current batting approach, even if he takes a wicket, it's not a big deal," Uthappa added.
It is worth mentioning that in South Africa’s last Super 8 match of the World Cup against West Indies, Shamsi bagged three crucial wickets, removing Kyle Mayers (35 off 34), Roston Chase (52 off 42) and Sherfane Rutherford (0 off 4) and helped the Proteas restrict the home side to 135-8 while batting first, which they chased.
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