India has just 30% chance of making it to top four in T20 World Cup 2022: Kapil Dev

Former India captain and 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev has expressed concerns over team India’s chances of making it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022. It was the inaugural edition when a young side led by MS Dhoni clinched their only World T20 title and fans are yet again optimistic with the side winning under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy this time.

The Men in Blue have been knocked out of the ICC events before making it to the finals on numerous occasions. The most recent elimination was in last year's T20 World Cup where they lost in the group stage of the Super 12 to New Zealand and arch rivals Pakistan, as the side stood in third place.

Former World Cup winner Kapil Dev expressed his stance on the squad on a promotional event in Lucknow. “What more do you want in the side other than having all-rounders who could win matches for a side not only in the World Cup but in all other matches or events? A cricketer like Hardik Pandya has been quite useful for India. All-rounders are the key players of any side, and they become the strength of a team. An all-rounder like Hardik gives Rohit Sharma the liberty to make use of the sixth bowler in a match. He is a good batter, bowler and fielder too. Ravindra Jadeja is also a perfect all-rounder for India,” said Dev.

Kapil Dev concerned with India’s bleak chances

The shortest format of the game on the grand stage can see any side winning the match that can further spoil chances of a ‘heavyweight’ side progressing. The former India skipper also voiced his opinion on team India’s chances ahead of the T20 World Cup group stage fixtures.

“In T20 cricket, the team winning a match can lose the next... It’s a very difficult to talk about the chances of India winning the World Cup. The issue is can they make it to the top four? And I am concerned about their making it to the top four, only then anything can be said. For me, it’s just 30 % chance of India making it to the top (last) four,” Dev added.

India will look to get off on a winning start against Babar Azam’s Pakistan. However, it has been reported that weather might play a spoilsport on October 23. It remains to be seen what transpires keeping in mind the weather conditions.