NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh praised India as an experienced and formidable team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, highlighting the superb bowling performances by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in Sunday's six-run win against archrivals Pakistan in New York.
India, who were bundled out for 119 after being asked to bat first — largely thanks to Rishabh Pant's fighting 31-ball 42 — staged a brilliant comeback to restrict Pakistan to 113/7 in 20 overs. Bumrah claimed 3-14, while Pandya took 2-24.
This marked India's second victory in the tournament after defeating Ireland in their opening match. Harbhajan expressed his elation over the back-to-back wins, stating, "The thrilling victory against Pakistan has fans buzzing with excitement."
"Our lineup is packed with players who excel under pressure, ready to navigate the toughest situations. In the T20 format, India stands out as one of the most experienced and formidable teams. The stunning bowling performances from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were crucial in securing that win against Pakistan," Harbhajan told Disney Hotstar during an exclusive first-of-its-kind LIVE cricket show, ‘Caught & Bold’ also featuring S. Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Ambati Rayudu, Sanjay Manjrekar and a host of other former cricketers from around the world.
Harbhajan mentioned that he is anticipating more nail-biting finishes in the tournament despite the challenging pitch and weather conditions. He expressed confidence in India's ability to handle such situations, highlighting the team's experience and resilience in tough matches.
"I'm eagerly looking forward to more nail-biting matches, even as we face this challenging pitch and weather conditions. This tournament promises to deliver some unforgettable cricketing moments, and I can't wait to see our team rise to the occasion," added Harbhajan.
(With IANS inputs)
