Former Australia pacer Brett Lee has backed India as the favourites despite Virat Kohli’s side suffering a heavy 10-wicket loss to Pakistan a couple of days ago in Dubai.
Pakistan chased down 152 inside 18 overs without the loss of any opener after Shaheen Afridi had struck thrice with the ball.
Brett Lee felt that India had the right eleven, but the Men In Green were just too hot to handle for them. He reckoned that the team just need to relax and keep faith in the group. The commentator also hopes for an India-Australia final.
“Look in hindsight maybe (India could have played three spinners), but Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, those types of guys are quality fast bowlers. If they can’t get the job done, who can? They had the right team, but you have to give credit to Pakistan as they played out of their skin.
“I guess the only person who stood out for India was Virat Kohli, hitting a beautiful fifty and there was a time when Afridi bowled and he smacked him down the wicket for a six. To me, that showed right intent,” Brett Lee told ANI.
“KL Rahul failed and that happens. He had come of the Orange Cap in the IPL, but a bit of extra pace which he wasn’t used to probably in the IPL. The Pakistan bowlers have got some extra pace, but I still have India as favourites.
“Relax, take it easy, take a breath in and it will all be okay. If they trust their ability and instinct, trust their talent, they will be okay. Maybe an India-Australia final somehow,” he added.
India will next meet New Zealand on October 31, next Sunday, in Dubai. They will then play Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia in the Super 12 stage.
Warner will have a big T20 World Cup: Brett Lee
Brett Lee also threw his weight behind compatriot David Warner, who is going through a lean patch. The left-handed opener scored 14 runs versus South Africa, and before that, he had registered four single-digit scores in T20 cricket.
“He is a big match player and incredible. He loves the big stage and opportunity and that is why he has been successful in the big matches. I would pick Warner and you can ask me some million times and I would pick him in all of my sides. He is devastating at the top of the order and he isn’t out of form, he is out of touch in terms of lack of match practice. I feel he was harshly and poorly dealt with by SRH.
“To be stripped off captaincy was one thing, but then to be dropped from the team after always being in the top two or three of the Orange Cap holder and having a terrific IPL history, has lost a bit of confidence. But the good thing is that every single game that he plays now, he will be prepared for the wickets and I can promise you he will have a big T20 World Cup,” Brett Lee said in support of Warner.
Australia won a close encounter versus South Africa. They next meet Sri Lanka on Thursday in Dubai.