Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has named swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade as one of his favourite players for the T20 World Cup in Australia. Last month, he looked impressive against India in the T20Is, where he smashed unbeaten knocks of 45 (21) and 43 (20) in the first two matches. He did well in the recently concluded T20Is against West Indies and England as well.
In 2022, Wade has hit 274 runs in 12 innings at an average of 68.5. He is expected to continue his sublime form for the defending champions throughout the showpiece T20 event. Shastri applauded the southpaw’s ongoing form and recalled his stunning form in the last edition of the showpiece T20 event in the UAE, particularly against Pakistan in the semi-finals.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Shastri said: “I think going down Australia, all-round players will play a major role, but the form of Matthew Wade has been outstanding of late. The way he’s played and we saw what he did in last year’s T20 World Cup in the game against Pakistan. He is someone you’ll always watch out.”
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Shastri also praised Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who impressed all with his batting skills against India. He feels the youngster will earn no less than Rs 10 crore in the upcoming auction for IPL 2023 as well.
The cricketer-turned-commentator said: “Absolutely, there is no question. He is a star in the making and will get better with the experience. He is a tall man who can smash it and is more than a useful bowler. So, he’s got all the tools that are needed for the T20 format of the game. He’s got the power and can smash it a long, long way, so I think he’ll be watched very closely by IPL. He will go over 10 crores, that’s for sure. He’ll definitely go for over a million US dollars for sure.”
Meanwhile, he has backed Virat Kohli to be an important player for India at the T20 World Cup in Australia. He also said that the stunning batter loves to play in Australia.
“I think he’ll be ready to go. Nobody charges or fires him up like playing in Australia. He loves playing in front of Australian crowds and [batting] tracks. He has got a great track record to boost that kind of effort and I think he’ll be very pro. Big players rise to the occasion when the big tournament surfaces. So, I expect to see a lot of Virat Kohli this T20 World Cup,” Shastri said to Fox Sports.
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Ravi Shastri also praised Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in sublime form with the bat now. Suryakumar has already scored 851 runs in 24 T20Is this year, including a century and seven fifties so far as well.
“From India’s point of view, watch out for Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. I would say Australia would have seen Hardik Pandya, but this one can light up the world cup, Suryakumar Yadav. He’s a specialist T20 player and he can be very innovative,” Ravi Shastri concluded.
