"Let us not try to change anything" - Robin Uthappa's advice to India ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals vs England
Robin Uthappa believes that India have momentum on their side heading into the crucial 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals against England. The two cricketing giants will battle it out for a place in the final on Thursday, June 27.
The former cricketer suggested that while Kohli is yet to fire in the ongoing showpiece event, the remaining batters have done a commendable job. Urging the Indian think tank to back their counter-attacking approach in the knockout stage, Uthappa said on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel:
"I am just loving the way India is actually batting and playing its cricket. Virat Kohli is not yet at the party. He is outside. He is outside the gate of the party. But everyone has turned up. Just incredible. As far as I am concerned, there is momentum. Everything is working for them."
"Now, exactly like what we have done in the past, I think we have to learn from our mistakes and say, let's stick to what's working for us. Let us not try to change anything in the last two games. Let's play for each other. Let's enjoy each other's success," he added.
Uthappa also reserved high praise for Rohit Sharma's leadership in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He pointed out how the Indian skipper backed Hardik Pandya even after the all-rounder proved to be expensive in the final Super 8 match against Australia.
The cricketer-turned-commentator stated:
"In this tournament, one thing that stood out for me is that Rohit, as a leader, has backed his instincts. He got a lot of questions. Why did he give the ball to Hardik Pandya? Why didn't he bowl the spinners yesterday Because instinctively, maybe he feels as a leader that he is the most successful bowler in this campaign. Why shouldn't he go? Yes, he is getting hit for runs. But he has faith in him. He is going to do it."
Uthappa opined that Sharma trusting his instincts would be key in the semifinals against England, adding:
"That's something we have seen Rohit exercise in the full tournament. I love that as a leader. Back your instincts. Even if you win, it's okay if you lose. Back your instincts and play. And that, he is doing really well. And for me, that is going to be something of a differentiator going into the semifinals."
The second semifinals of the showpiece event kicks off at 8:00 PM (IST). The match will be played at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
"For me, the most important player is going to be Hardik Pandya" - Robin Uthappa on the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals
Robin Uthappa picked Hardik Pandya as the player to watch out for in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals between India and England. He highlighted that the all-rounder has played a big role in the team's success in this ICC event.
Lauding Hardik for his contributions with bat and ball, Uthappa said in the same video:
"The role that he has been playing in the course of the World Cup has been an incredibly strong and critical role. He is doing it in bowling, batting, fielding. He is actually performing his roles with a lot of panache, with a lot of class and calibre. His success as an all-rounder is what is making our batting and bowling look so formidable."
"Again, you expect him to come and keep it quiet, but he is coming and taking wickets. He is playing anchor roles. He is playing like taking the game to the death. So, he is playing that crucial role. For me, the most important player is going to be Hardik Pandya." he added
Hardik has scored 116 runs from four innings at a striker rate of 145.00 in the 2024 T20 World Cup. With the ball, he has picked up eight wickets from six outings at an economy rate of 7.47.