Watch- Dale Steyn picks his key players to watch out for in IND vs AFG Super 8 clash

Legendary South African speedster and commentator Dale Steyn has named the key players to watch in the highly anticipated Super-8 clash between Afghanistan and India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

Steyn started with India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and warned the Afghanistan cricket team of the Yorkshire specialist while hailing his bowling prowess and red-hot form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Dale Steyn picks the players to watch in India vs Afghanistan Super-8 Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Describing Bumrah as phenomenal across all formats, Steyn said that his ability to excel in Test cricket, T20s, and ODIs makes him a formidable force. However, he managed only 5 wickets in three games, but was extremely economical with the ball.

He predicted that Bumrah will be a big game changer and will play a crucial role with the ball for the Men in Blue against Afghanistan in the Super-8 encounter in Barbados, emphasizing his unorthodox action, deadly accuracy, deceptive pace variations, and adaptability in various conditions.

Dale Sten said on Star Sports: “Matchday spotlight, Afghanistan are taking on India. I'm going to pick two players from each team. Starting with India, from a bowling point of view, Jasprit Bumrah, absolutely phenomenal. He's great with all three disciplines. Test, T20, ODI, I think he's going to be fantastic.”

Shifting gears to the star-studded batting line-up of the Indian cricket team, Steyn has surprisingly ignored the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and singled out Suryakumar Yadav as the key player for this Super-8 match. He expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s potential to shine with the bat against Afghanistan, saying fans will enjoy his batting in Barbados.

The commentator further noted, “And Sky, Surya, he's going to come good with the bat, just watch out for him from India's point of view.”

Fazalhaq Farooqi will be a big threat for India: Dale Steyn

Meanwhile, speaking about the Afghanistan cricket team, Dale Steyn has warned Team India to be cautious about Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the explosive opener and wicketkeeper. The cricket pandit further predicted an exciting battle between Gurbaz and Bumrah to watch during their first Super-8 match.

Additionally, the former South African pacer pointed out Fazalhaq Farooqi as another key player for Afghanistan, saying his ability to swing the ball effectively can prove an X-factor for them against the Men in Blue.

Steyn also warned India’s batting superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma about the threat posed by Farooqi's bowling, saying they should tackle him carefully to avoid losing wickets.

Steyn signed off by saying, “From Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, opening the batting, taking on Bumrah. It's going to be a contest to watch. And players like Fazalhaq Farooqi, he can swing it. Be careful, Virat Kohli and Virat Sharma, he can knock your pegs out.”

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As we await the 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐥, #DaleSteyn picks his players to look out for on the World Cup ka Super Stage! 👀

Which of these 🇮🇳🇦🇫 stars will shine tonight?

Don't miss 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝟖 👉 #AFGvIND | TODAY, 6 PM | #T20WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/fdpcSHjfs2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 20, 2024

Notably, Rohit had a great start to the T20 World Cup 2024, but he failed to carry forward his form, while Kohli has also been struggling as an opener. However, both Indian batters will now be looking to find form on Caribbean soil.

On the other hand, Gurbaz scored 167 runs with the highest score of 80 at a strike rate of 150.45 in four matches so far in the tournament. Farooqi is also in red-hit form with the ball, taking 12 wickets in the group stages, and will be a big threat for India.