"Should seriously consider playing Baartman ahead of Shamsi" - Ravichandran Ashwin on South Africa's lineup for 2024 T20 World Cup final vs India
Ravichandran Ashwin feels South African pacer Ottniel Baartman should get the nod over left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India. The summit clash is set to take place at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
The veteran India spinner suggested that while Shamsi has a knack for picking up wickets, he also tends to leak a lot of runs. Ashwin mentioned that if Shamsi is in the playing XI, the Indian batters will counter him by playing the sweep.
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel:
"(Tabraiz) Shamsi is one bowler who will go for sweeps. And India has been sweeping. Adil Rashid, (Liam) Livingstone was slightly quicker through the area. They were able to take 39 runs along with Jordan and Sam Curran. I see this as a very important match-up. And hence, I believe South Africa should seriously consider playing (Ottniel) Baartman ahead of Shamsi for the final."
Shamsi has picked up 11 wickets from four outings at an economy rate of 7.37 in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Baartman, on the other hand, has six scalps from five games and has gone at just 4.94 runs per over.
"In India's current batting approach, even if he takes a wicket, it's not a big deal" - Robin Uthappa on Tabraiz Shamsi
In the same video, Robin Uthappa echoed similar sentiments as Ravichandran Ashwin. He reckoned that India would prefer to face Tabraiz Shamsi over Ottniel Baartman in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
The former keeper-batter stated that Shamsi picking up a wicket or two won't bother India, as the Men in Blue batters could target him and score quick runs during his spell.
"As far as I am concerned, if Shamsi is playing, I will be damn happy, especially in Barbados. And if Baartman is playing, I will be like, we have to be a little wary. Who would I prefer among these two? Definitely, Shamsi. I know that he will give runs. Even if he takes a wicket, I don't care. If he takes 40-45-50 runs, I am done. Because in India's current batting approach, even if he takes a wicket, it's not a big deal," Uthappa said.
It is worth mentioning that Shamsi has claimed just seven wickets from 12 T20Is against India at an economy rate of 8.46.