West Indies players after their win against Zimbabwe. (AP photo) NEW DELHI: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes West Indies have shown they have the qualities needed to win the T20 World Cup at the business end, while warning that India now face a tough road to the semi-finals after a heavy defeat to South Africa.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!West Indies sent a strong message to the rest of the field with a dominant 107-run demolition of Zimbabwe, amassing a stunning 254/6 before bowling out their opponents for 147. The performance impressed Kumble, who said the Caribbean side showed a clear understanding of how to succeed in knockout situations.
T20 World Cup: Shai Hope press conference after West Indies beat Zimbabwe
“West Indies understand what it takes to win at this stage of the tournament. The left-arm bowlers were outstanding. Gudakesh Motie bowled brilliantly. In this format, finger-spinners often try to stay away from the batsman’s arc, but Motie and Hosein were different,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.He also marked Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 34-ball 85 as a turning point. “Shimron Hetmyer has been a finisher for a long time and knows how to clear boundaries. He has power and temperament. He excels in not settling for quick 20 or 30 cameos. He converts them into big scores. Had he fallen for 30, West Indies might not have reached 254,” explained Kumble.
Vote
Can India still make it to the semi-finals after losing to South Africa?
Kumble added that Rovman Powell’s calculated attack made the total even more impressive. “Powell is again a proven power forward. He took his time at first but once he settled in he was unstoppable.”As for India’s situation, Kumble admitted that the margin and manner of their loss against South Africa made things difficult. “Every game counts at this stage. India have suffered a big loss… The key question now is whether they can bounce back in a big way.”He emphasized that India must now win in a big way. “India need to win convincingly, similar to West Indies…Primary emphasis should be on winning both matches.”
