Former India captain Anil Kumble has cautioned the team against any hint of complacency ahead of their Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled for Thursday in Chennai.
India find themselves under pressure after a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, in their opening Super 8 encounter. The heavy loss has left India in a must-win scenario, with victories required against Zimbabwe and West Indies, along with a significant boost to their Net Run Rate, which currently stands at -3.800.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble stressed that while India should continue playing their natural attacking brand of cricket, they must remain alert to Zimbabwe’s growing threat.
He highlighted Zimbabwe’s impressive run in the group stage, which included a memorable win over Australia and a successful chase of 179 against Sri Lanka on home soil. Kumble also drew attention to Zimbabwe’s pace duo, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, who have troubled batters with their bounce and movement, particularly in the Powerplay.
“India should back their aggressive style, but Zimbabwe are a dangerous side and deserve respect. They’ve beaten Australia and chased down big totals. Their top-order has been in great form, and their tall fast bowlers have been excellent early on,” Kumble said.
He added that in a high-stakes tournament like the T20 World Cup, India cannot afford lapses in focus. “You can’t take any opponent lightly. Anyone who gets in must make it count. There are no second chances or assumptions — every player has to step up and deliver,” he concluded.
Also see: IN vs ZIM live score