T20 World Cup 2024

Mithali Raj gives India a stern warning as they play their last Super 12 match against Zimbabwe

India have secured their berth for the semi-finals of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 but they are still sitting at number two position in the Group 2 points table. A win in their last league stage match against Zimbabwe, today, will help them take the top spot.

India will, certainly, go into the contest as favourites against Zimbabwe, however, former Indian legendary cricketer, Mithali Raj reckons that the Men in Blue shouldn’t take the opposition lightly as they had beaten a team like Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.

“They (India) cannot take the game against Zimbabwe lightly. We know what they did against Pakistan (won by one run) and they had a very close game against Bangladesh, going down to the final ball twice,” said Mithali in her column for ICC.

“I really feel India is the favourite when it comes to playing against Zimbabwe but then when you’re playing the smaller teams, you need to be mindful to keep the intensity through the game. If at any time the intensity drops the opposition will start to get the better of you and T20 is so fast-paced, they there few chances for recovery,” opined Mithali, who retired earlier this year following more than two decades of international cricket.

Mithali Raj further highlighted that the match against Zimbabwe will also be an opportunity for the out of form batters to get some runs under their belt.

“You still have to play your game, be your best on every match day. I think India has been good in the power-plays with Arshdeep (Singh) picking up the wickets barring the game against Bangladesh where the Bangladesh batters really got the measure of our bowling especially in the powerplay,” said Mithali.

“That match (against Zimbabwe) will also be important for those players to (get) back into form who haven’t started firing as yet in this World Cup. Their form is key for India when they get into the semifinals. You want all the loose ends settled before the semis.”

If India will the match against Zimbabwe, then will be playing against England in the semi-final 2 on Thursday at Adelaide Oval ground.