T20 World Cup 2024: 'What's the point of reaching final...' - Wasim Akram's playful dig at India WC-bound players missing IPL final

Wasim Akram feels the Kolkata Knight Riders winning the IPL 2024 title is a good thing for India. He also took a dig at the Indian team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

According to Wasim Akram, neither of the finalists had any Indian player who was part of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma will lead India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. India is scheduled to participate in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

The IPL 2024 final was scheduled to be played on May 26. Hence, there was a concern that the Indian players would be tired if they went to the United States just five days ahead of the tournament. 

None of the Indian players will say they are tired: Wasim Akram takes jibe at Indian team

During a chat with Sportskeeda, former Pakistan pace Wasim Akram said that it is a blessing for Team India that no player was a member of the Indian team part of the World Cup reached the IPL 2024 final.  

"Well, now atleast none of them will have to say that they are tired. They were thinking ahead, what is the point of reaching the final, India is more important, we will play with the country. But it could be a blessing in disguise for India," he said.

Akram also noted that during a show, some Pakistan experts discussed that due to IPL 2024, some Indian players might be tired during their clash with Pakistan in the league. 

"We discussed in the previous show that I was worried that they might be tired, and they will be tired, no doubt. Even America is not their road. I think Pakistan's first match is Dallas if I remember", he said. 

Now they will go and play there, one or two practice matches. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20, the boys will recover, nowadays fitness levels are very high," he further added.

Notably, there were no Indian players in Sunrisers Hyderabad or Kolkata Knight Riders as part of the T20 World Cup. Rinku Singh was the only player who was part of the India squad. However, he is a reserve player.

Also Read: Watch: Mitchell Starc snubbed as Venkatesh Iyer names his favorite Australian player in front of pacer

India to face Pakistan on June 6  

ICC T20 World Cup 2024 commences on Saturday, June 1 in the West Indies and United States. India will face Ireland in their opening game on June 5. Later, they will clash with Pakistan on Sunday, June 9. 

The India vs Pakistan clash will be an exciting game to watch out for. Pakistan defeated India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. In the 2022 World Cup, the men-in-green gave a big shock to the Indian team by sending them at 30-4 during the chase. 

However, Virat Kohli helped Team India to win the title and it was one of the most exciting games for the side. Now, the India and Pakistan fight is all set to reach the United States. 

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders got the better of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 final.