Since 2022, Arshdeep has been India's find in T20Is, more so with the new ball. He picked ten wickets to be India's leading wicket-taker in the 2022 T20 World Cup. In the ongoing tournament, Arshdeep has been instrumental with his left arm angle and his ability to move the ball both ways, as well as to produce sharp bounce, as seen in his seven wickets in three games, four of which were against the United States.
“I think Arshdeep will be important in the match, especially in Barbados where the wind is a factor. So, considering he takes the ball, and he also takes it away from the right batsman and the left batsman, which makes him a big factor certainly in the match,” Robin said in an exclusive conversation with IANS.
Another pleasing factor for India has been vice-captain Hardik Pandya rediscovering his bowling pace after a lackluster IPL in 2024, to take seven wickets in three games so far. Robin, who played 136 ODIs for India, believes Hardik's good bowling results are a big advantage for the Rohit Sharma-led team.
“I think he (he is good) in several aspects. One is that he, personally, is bowling close to his best. It's good to see him taking up wickets. More importantly, it is good to see him fit into an Indian team, where he makes a big difference with the balance of the team and his performance for the team. That's the main thing as at the end of the day you play for India. Therefore, you must go out and give your best. I think he has taken a step forward.”
Robin believes that having fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah at the top of his game also increases India's advantage. “It's almost like having an extra bowler at your side, if I may say so. So, it gives you that big advantage. “It also creates fear among the batsmen who are going to play against him.”
“So, that also gives him that advantage. It is important to note that he himself is a very self-confident guy. He is capable of delivering at any given moment. So, that's the most critical thing. I hope he does the same in the tournament.”
In the bowling department, with Axar Patel doing an underrated but crucial job for India with both bat and ball, there is pressure on Ravindra Jadeja to step up in Super Eights. Robin signed off by expressing his confidence that Jadeja would perform well in the decisive phase of the competition.
“Look, in all these things, this is the T20 format. Sometimes you do a lot, sometimes you don't get the chance. But it is important to maintain trust. I am quite sure that when the opportunity arises, Jadeja will be up to the task. He has been someone who is an experienced activist. So these guys really know how to step up and that's important.”
“I think Arshdeep will be important in the match, especially in Barbados where the wind is a factor. So, considering he takes the ball, and he also takes it away from the right batsman and the left batsman, which makes him a big factor certainly in the match,” Robin said in an exclusive conversation with IANS.
Another pleasing factor for India has been vice-captain Hardik Pandya rediscovering his bowling pace after a lackluster IPL in 2024, to take seven wickets in three games so far. Robin, who played 136 ODIs for India, believes Hardik's good bowling results are a big advantage for the Rohit Sharma-led team.
“I think he (he is good) in several aspects. One is that he, personally, is bowling close to his best. It's good to see him taking up wickets. More importantly, it is good to see him fit into an Indian team, where he makes a big difference with the balance of the team and his performance for the team. That's the main thing as at the end of the day you play for India. Therefore, you must go out and give your best. I think he has taken a step forward.”
Robin believes that having fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah at the top of his game also increases India's advantage. “It's almost like having an extra bowler at your side, if I may say so. So, it gives you that big advantage. “It also creates fear among the batsmen who are going to play against him.”
“So, that also gives him that advantage. It is important to note that he himself is a very self-confident guy. He is capable of delivering at any given moment. So, that's the most critical thing. I hope he does the same in the tournament.”
In the bowling department, with Axar Patel doing an underrated but crucial job for India with both bat and ball, there is pressure on Ravindra Jadeja to step up in Super Eights. Robin signed off by expressing his confidence that Jadeja would perform well in the decisive phase of the competition.
“Look, in all these things, this is the T20 format. Sometimes you do a lot, sometimes you don't get the chance. But it is important to maintain trust. I am quite sure that when the opportunity arises, Jadeja will be up to the task. He has been someone who is an experienced activist. So these guys really know how to step up and that's important.”
