T20 World Cup 2024: Former India star issues stern warning to Team India head coach ahead of mega event

India last won an ICC trophy in 2013. They had their best chance to end the long wait to win another ICC trophy in 2023. However, the dream of the Men in Blue was shattered by Australia in the ODI World Cup final at home.

In a bid to make amends and win the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the USA and West Indies, former India star batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu has an advice for head coach Rahul Dravid.

Sidhu has warned Dravid against making compromises. He also urged ‘The Wall’ to stick with five specialist bowlers – two spinners and three pacers or vice-versa according to the conditions in the Playing XI come what may.

“My straight advice to Rahul Dravid is that if you want to win this tournament, have five wicket-taking specialist bowlers, simple. The collapse of a team’s character stems from the compromise column. Your character takes a hit when you compromise. You have three spinners – Bishnoi, Kuldeep and Jadeja. And play three fast bowlers,” Sidhu said on air.

“Mayank Yadav, if fit, walks into the side. Khaleel Ahmed, Mohsin Khan. And Delhi Capitals have Mukesh Kumar. I feel that the Indian team has so many options that if they take wicket-taking bowlers and do not compromise – thinking that this guy can bat a bit, bowl a bit,” the former batsman further said.

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“All the great captains that I have seen – look at Imran Khan of Pakistan or Steve Waugh of Australia. They all preferred wicket-taking bowlers. And that is the secret. This is a theme that we tend to ignore. If seven batters can’t win you the match, the eighth won’t either,” he added.