Our bowling definitely lacked heat – Irfan Pathan on India’s performance in last two T20 World Cups

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons that Team India definitely lacked heat in their bowling in the last two T20 World Cups. India could not even qualify for the semifinals in the 2021 T20 World Cup after they lost their opening two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 12 stage.

Subsequently, India made it to the semifinal in the previous T20 World Cup in Australia. However, India’s bowling looked toothless against England as they failed to take a solitary wicket as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners.

While Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar did a great job in the group stages, they both were not up to the mark in the semifinal contest against Three Lions.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “It is very important to plan what combination we should be playing and which bowlers should get a chance, depending on how they make the most of the pitches.

“The biggest problem here, is that the pitches are flat and our bowling is not up to the mark and that’s what we have seen in the last two T20 World Cups against Pakistan as well as against England in the semi-finals. Our bowling definitely lacked heat.”

In fact, Pathan didn’t reveal the names but feels India has two bowlers who can deliver irrespective of the pitch conditions.

“I personally want to see this going forward, that we have two bowlers who do not require the special pitches that we expect.

“They have their respective skills either by pace or the variation and I think that the team management and the selectors and everyone, even the captain Rohit Sharma are going in the right direction.”

India will want to put paid to the woes of going all the way in the major ICC events in the forthcoming ODI World Cup, which they will host later in the year.

India has begun their preparation on a high, winning the first five ODIs of the year.