“Only batsmen with technique will score runs here, this is definitely not IPL” – Mohammad Kaif warns Rohit Sharma and Co. ahead of T20 World Cup

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif reckons the batsmen with good technique will score runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Scores of more than 200 became a norm in the IPL but Kaif feels the T20I showpiece will not witness big scores.

The pitches in the Caribbean and the USA are expected to be slow and thus run-scoring will not be easy. Meanwhile, India posted 182 runs in the warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Saturday. 

Rishabh Pant top-scored with 53 runs off 32 balls whereas all-rounder Hardik Pandya scored 40 runs off 23 balls to add the finishing touches. 

Mohammad Kaif wrote on X, “If pitches play the same in New York, batting will be tough. Spongy bounce, slow and big outfield, movement of ball – only batsmen with technique will score runs here. This is definitely not IPL.”

On the other hand, Bangladesh could only manage 122-9 in their 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube bagged two wickets apiece whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Siraj took one wicket each.

Meanwhile, India will kick start their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, followed by the marquee clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 09, 2024 at the same venue. India will then play against the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.

Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.

Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan