South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has made a bold prediction ahead of the huge India vs West Indies Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday (March 1). This Super 8 match will decide the final semi-final spot, so it is a virtual eliminator for both the teams.
Temba Bavuma takes bold decision before India vs West Indies knockout match
India and West Indies are facing each other in the World Cup for the first time since the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final, and the pressure is intense. Both teams have strong batting units, but Bavuma feels the real difference is in the bowling and backed India to make it to the semi-finals.
He believes that India’s bowling attack looks more strong and complete. India has top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. Then there are all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shivam Dubey, who provide additional balance.
Also read: West Indies refused to play Test cricket against Australia – know why?
“It’s exciting. I think West Indies are a team that can match any force from a batting point of view. So, you know, I can’t say much there. Maybe in bowling, where I would say the difference between the two bowling attacks is where India is in favour; it’s in Kolkata,” Temba Bavuma was quoted as saying by ANI.
Varun Chakraborty’s Eden Gardens record
The Eden Gardens pitch can also play a big role in the outcome of the India vs West Indies match. Bavuma said that when South Africa played a Test match at this venue last year, the pitch helped the spinners, but he does not expect a lot of turn in this Super 8 encounter.
However, the South Africa captain has not ruled out the possibility of an upset in Kolkata and this is where Varun Chakravarthy becomes important. He plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL and knows this ground very well. In 22 IPL matches at the Eden Gardens, the mystery spinner has taken 30 wickets at an economy rate of 8.60.
Even in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Varun is India’s leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in six matches at an average of 13.09 and an economy of 7.20. But his form has dipped in the Super 8 stage. He gave 47 runs in four overs against South Africa and 35 runs against Zimbabwe.
Also read: IPL contracts of Abhishek Sharma and other stars in danger if India loses to West Indies
Bavuma favors India’s strong bowling attack compared to West Indies’ power hitters
Bavuma said, “Look, when we played there, the Test match, I mean, it had a lot of spin. So, obviously, you don’t expect it to play like this. But obviously, it has the ability to turn. I mean, India have that strength, right? Chakravarthy is waiting there. West Indies have got some left-handed batsmen (in-form Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford). So maybe you can see it.”
Finally, the Proteas star said the defending champions can topple the West Indies to clinch the final semi-final spot, with England, South Africa and New Zealand already in the mix. He signed off by saying, “I think India too; you know, you always add an extra 20 runs to their score. So, as exciting as it is, I see India going to the semi-finals.”