Former India opener Kris Srikkanth made a light-hearted comment ahead of the Super 8 match against West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2026. Srikkanth said that the current West Indies attack does not have the strength to challenge the Indian batsmen, joking that Ian Bishop will have to come and bowl to trouble the Indian batsmen.
India will take on West Indies in the Super 8 match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday, March 1. Both teams have one win and one loss in the Super 8 stage. The winner of the match will face England in the other semi-final in Mumbai on March 5, while the losing team will be eliminated from the tournament.
Ian Bishop will just have to come back and bowl for them – Kris Srikkanth
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth said that West Indies rely on power-hitting but lack quality bowlers. He described the West Indies batting unit as inconsistent and said that India was a much better team overall.
Srikkanth said, “West Indies have six hitting capabilities. But who will bowl for them? Ian Bishop will just have to come back and bowl for them. They also have a terrific top order, especially the opening batsmen.”
He said, “Hetmyer is a good player at the top of the order, who is also used to Indian conditions. Their batting lineup is very hit-and-miss. India are a much better team.”
West Indies only have good spinners – Kris Srikkanth
This cricketer turned commentator said that West Indies is not a serious challenge for India. Srikkanth said that West Indies mainly depend on their spinners, while their medium pacers make things easier for the Indian batsmen.
“India will thrash players like Shankar Joseph. Brandon King and Shai Hope have not scored at all. It will be such an easy win for India that percentage won’t even be needed. West Indies only have good spinners. Their medium pacers are very easy for the Indian batsmen. They don’t get any movement and they don’t have any pace or bounce.”
After winning their first five matches of the tournament, West Indies lost to South Africa by nine wickets. India has also lost only one of its five matches so far, that too against South Africa.
West Indies can challenge India by batting first – Kris Srikkanth
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth said that West Indies can challenge India only if they bat first and score a huge score. He said that India’s powerful batting lineup should dominate the flat Kolkata pitch.
Srikkanth said, “The only threat to India is that West Indies can score 240 by batting first. Maybe even 200 to 210, if they score, they might have a chance. Kolkata is a small ground with a flat pitch, which works for both sides. If West Indies hit 15 sixes, India will hit 18 sixes.”
He concluded, “Although they have the power to hit sixes, India have the power to hit big sixes. With the kind of power they have in their lineup and this West Indian attack, India will hit two or three sixes in the Hooghly River.”
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