World T20: Will India Make it to Semi-Finals? Yes, Say Sunil Gavaskar And Kumar Sangakkara
The way India came out of pressure situation to defeat Bangladesh by one run in World T20, shows that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men have the capability to enter the last four, according to Sunil Gavaskar and Kumar Sangakkara
- Rica Roy
- Updated: March 24, 2016 04:50 PM IST
![World T20: Will India Make it to Semi-Finals? Yes, Say Sunil Gavaskar And Kumar Sangakkara](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2016/mar/806/india-bangladesh-world-t20-new-4.jpg)
Highlights
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India have defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh so far. They lost to NZ
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India won the 2007 World T20.
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India recently won the Asia Cup
Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain, and ex-Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara feels that India, with two wins in three matches, look good to make the semi-finals of the World T20. (World T20: India Stay In The Hunt For Semi-Finals After Thrilling Bangladesh Win)
However, both Sangakkara and Gavaskar warned India that they might have to dig deep against Aussies as they face each other in Mohali on March 27. (World T20: How Mahendra Singh Dhoni Got Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya to Steal Bangladesh's Thunder)
India began the year on a high, nailing a few tight finishes. In January this year, Suresh Raina's last ball four that sealed a 3-0 T20 series against Australia.
Then was the pressure match against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2016. After faltering in a small chase, Virat stood like a rock in Mirpur and India eventually won by five wickets.
Mahendera Singh Dhoni's six ball cameo against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final helped the Men in Blue lift their sixth Asia Cup title.
Kohli was once again thorn in Pakistan's flesh at Eden, as India eased to six-wicket win over arch-rivals.
![](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2016/mar/806/chase-masters-virat-kohli.jpg)
© NDTV
Kohli has been in a tremendous form winning matches single handedly. And when it comes to chasing, he is class apart. The 27 year old has 836 runs in 18 innings and tops the list of players with most runs in T20I ever while chasing. He averages a whopping 83.6 at a strike rate of over 130.
"You know when it comes to pressure and playing in these situations, dealing with situations, India has experience. They have a settled side, they have been in this situation before. So, they handle it, rather they should handle it better," said Sangakkara.
Bowling line-up stronger
Ashish Nehra's return to the Indian squad and the induction of young Jasprit Bumrah has infused a new life in the bowling line up. Interestingly, India has the best economy rate in T20 internationals since january 2015.
The spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravendra Jadeja are also probably the best in the world at present.
But the match against Bangladesh was all about who keeps a calm head under pressure. "I feel it was a very good game against Bangladesh, specially for the youngsters, who have not played under pressure earlier. For someome like a Hardik or Pandya this was first proper interaction with pressure," said Dhoni after the game.
![](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2016/mar/806/best-economy-rates.jpg)
© NDTV
'India can enter semifinals'
So after the high octane win against Bangladesh the obvious question is, will they make the semi final?
"Yes they can. I think they might have turned the corner with the high pressure game against Bangladesh," Sanga added.
Gavaskar echoed similar sentiments. "They can certainly make the semi finals the way they have recovered here and therefore my advice to all the Indian cricket followers would be - say some prayers again on Saturday for the game on Sunday," said Gavaskar.
Gone are the days when India's nerves would collapse in tight finishes, which created that ubiquitous saying- once again "India goes down fighting".
Analysts say there is one big change in the Indian team that's making all the difference, winning matches in crunch situations.