‘They know what it takes to win’: Anil Kumble hails West Indies’ title charge, warns India after crushing reality check

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes West Indies have shown they possess the qualities needed to win the T20 World Cup at the business end, while warning that India now face a difficult road to the semi-finals after their heavy defeat to South Africa.

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West Indies sent a strong message to the rest of the field with a dominant 107-run demolition of Zimbabwe, piling up a staggering 254/6 before bowling their opponents out for 147. The performance impressed Kumble, who said the Caribbean side demonstrated a clear understanding of how to succeed in knockout-style situations.




“The West Indies understand what it takes to win at this stage of the tournament. The left-arm spinners were outstanding. Gudakesh Motie bowled brilliantly. In this format, finger spinners often try to stay away from the batter’s hitting arc, but Motie and Hosein were different,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.

He also singled out Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 34-ball 85 as the turning point. “Shimron Hetmyer has long been a finisher and knows how to clear the boundaries. He has the power and the temperament. What stands out is that he doesn’t settle for quick cameos of 20 or 30. He converts them into substantial scores. Had he fallen for 30, perhaps the West Indies wouldn’t have reached 254,” Kumble explained.


Kumble added that Rovman Powell’s calculated assault made the total even more formidable. “Powell is again a proven power-hitter. He took his time initially, but once he settled, he was unstoppable.”

Turning to India’s situation, Kumble admitted the margin and manner of their loss to South Africa had made things complicated. “Every game counts at this stage. India suffered a significant loss… The key question now is whether they can bounce back strongly.”

He stressed that India must now win big. “India needs to win convincingly, much like the West Indies did… The primary focus should be on winning both matches.”


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