Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has called on the Indian team to show resilience after their crushing defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage in Ahmedabad. The 76-run loss brought immense criticism on both the players and the team management. India were completely outplayed in all departments. India endured a faltering batting performance and remained ineffective in the bowling department, with South Africa capitalising on India's weakness in both departments. The defeat has left India's semifinal hopes hanging in the balance, making their remaining fixtures against Zimbabwe and West Indies must-win encounters. India are now set to face Zimbabwe on Thursday in Chennai, and according to Srikkanth, Zimbabwe could turn out to be a massive threat.
"West Indies are one step ahead of India now with the crushing win over Zimbabwe. Everything boils down to the South Africa-West Indies match for India. Yet, playing on the Chennai wicket, Zimbabwe is a bigger threat to India than the West Indies," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
The former opener also addressed India's batting performance in the match against South Africa.
"Because now the West Indies have hopes of qualification whereas Zimbabwe has no hope, so they'll play carefree cricket. It will be game over for India if South Africa beats West Indies. Though South Africa also has to beat Zimbabwe, then," he said.
"It may look like the Indian batters slogged and got out against South Africa. But it's the pressure of chasing a big score like 187, and how the openers, especially, are under immense pressure in such a case. Under that pressure, sometimes you'll slog and get out. That's why Ishan Kishan played that shot and got out. The mental pressure made them slog and get out," he said.