Sunil Gavaskar Praises India’s T20 World Cup Preparations

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his admiration for the team’s preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup, emphasizing that the Men in Blue are not taking the tournament lightly. He highlighted that the team is not assuming anything for granted as they aim to defend their title.

Gavaskar’s comments came after India secured a five-match T20I series against New Zealand with two matches to spare, winning the third game convincingly by eight wickets on Sunday. The victory was a significant step in their preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

Chasing 154, India overcame an early setback and reached the target in just 10 overs. Abhishek Sharma played a crucial role with a 68 not out off 28 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav contributed an unbeaten 57 off 26 deliveries. Abhishek’s performance was particularly notable, as he reached a fifty in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20I cricket.

Before the batting success, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi shone with the ball, restricting New Zealand to 153/9 despite strong performances from Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, and skipper Mitchell Santner.

A Step Toward the Main Event

Reflecting on India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup, Gavaskar described the New Zealand series as only the beginning of a much larger journey. “This series is like an appetiser; the main course begins from the 7th of February. Having won the series, the focus now is on defending the World Cup title,” he said.

He noted that the players are preparing thoroughly, with some not even having the chance to bat. They are working on range-hitting, timing, rhythm, bat flow, and pick-up. This dedication shows the team’s focus and determination.

Abhishek’s blistering display ensured India secured a thumping eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Guwahati, giving them an unassailable 3–0 lead in the series. His performance has drawn comparisons with his mentor Yuvraj Singh, with Gavaskar highlighting the young opener’s potential.

“I think that kind of a record is very, very hard to beat. Getting to a fifty in just two overs is extremely tough. But what Abhishek Sharma has shown over the last several matches is that he is capable of doing that. He has scored a fifty in 14 deliveries in this match and in 16 deliveries on another, so he keeps getting closer,” Gavaskar said.

He added, “I think the happiest person will be Yuvraj Singh. Make no mistake about it, that his record has been taken by someone he is mentoring. That’s what happens when your record is broken. You would rather see another Indian take it. When my record of centuries was surpassed by Sachin Tendulkar, yes, there is a small tinge when a record is taken away, no question about that. But who took it? Sachin Tendulkar, another Indian. So, you don’t feel bad about it at all.”

Suryakumar Yadav’s Form

Speaking about Suryakumar Yadav’s form heading into the World Cup, Gavaskar emphasized that the Indian skipper was never short of confidence or timing—only runs. “I think that his knock the other day in Raipur gave him exactly the confidence he needed. He hasn’t been short of form; he’s been short of runs. What he has been saying is that he has been batting very well in the nets. He’s not struggling there, he’s hitting the ball cleanly and all around the ground. It just wasn’t working for him in matches.”

Gavaskar added, “Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of luck to get going. This time, he didn’t even need luck. That innings was exactly what he needed. It boosted his confidence, and the shots he played were simply amazing.”

Confidence and Depth

The 76-year-old concluded by highlighting India’s growing confidence and exceptional depth, particularly in the lower middle order. “India has complete confidence in themselves. When you have players like Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya batting down the order, and they haven’t even needed to bat in two matches, and India is still winning comfortably, it tells you the kind of caliber this team has.”

He noted, “That belief is clearly visible. Even if there is a small stumble, this team knows it can recover, regroup, and continue marching towards victory.”