‘India cannot afford to take it lightly’: McGrath warns ahead of mega semi-final

CHENNAI: Renowned former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath expects India and South Africa to lock horns in T20 World Cup final, but believes Suryakumar Yadav England will need to be cautious against an England side who have a mixed record in Thursday’s semi-finals.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“England are a dangerous team. If they really seize the day, they can do anything. However, they are also lucky. Nepal should beat them. Italy was a close game. So, they found a way to win. Maybe it will give them confidence, they have just peaked in the semi-finals.

“If India plays like they have throughout the tournament and England plays like they have, then India should advance,” McGrath said, adding, “My two picks for the final would be South Africa and India.”McGrath, director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, said he was impressed by South Africa. “Not too long ago, they came out and said they were focusing on the development of T20 cricket. They have good batsmen and a very good bowling attack.”On South Africa having to face New Zealand in the semi-finals, McGrath said, “When New Zealand face South Africa, they have something. South Africa always win convincingly and I don’t know why.”“Bumrah is a big player”McGrath also believed that India’s bowling attack will be crucial in the knockout matches and he termed Jasprit Bumrah as a “big match player”.“First of all, it will be about winning the toss and deciding what to do. India have a good bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh has been outstanding and Bumrah has been outstanding as well. Arshdeep may be the bowler of choice for India but Bumrah is a fantastic player. Sometimes in big matches, these players raise their game. In a normal game, it’s not that the focus isn’t there, but they really love those big moments, the big games. But when it comes to big matches, I have full faith in Bumrah. I’ve always been a big fan of his. “‘Australia’s withdrawal is no surprise’McGrath admitted he had doubts about Australia’s prospects even before the tournament began. “I said I was worried about Australia. I thought they might make it to the Super Eights but to be honest, I didn’t think they would get any further. Australia were knocked out before the Super Eights and Zimbabwe advanced and hopefully that will hurt them. It’s disappointing but not surprising,” he said.