‘India have underperformed in world tournaments ’- Nasser Hussain makes bold prediction ahead of T20 WC 2022 semi-finals

India and England will fight it out in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 as both sides will be keen to get one step closer to lifting the coveted title. While the Men in Blue have been in terrific form and have the potential to clinch the title, former England cricketer Nasser Hussain believes the side has ‘underperformed’ at the ICC events many times in the past.

Team India came close to lifting the trophy but lost in the finals of the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy but failed at the last moment. Furthermore, the side could only make it to the semi-finals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the 2019 World Cup. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, the team was ousted in the group stage itself.

"You have to say they have underperformed in world tournaments. At times they have played some timid cricket with the bat for the players they have and when working for Sky last summer their former coach Ravi Shastri said that is something they have to change," Hussain wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

Rishabh Pant is a freakish player: Nasser Hussain

The England legend further stated that he would like to see Rishabh Pant over Dinesh Karthik as the keeper-batsman against England. The former player suggested that Pant can get explosive in his own ways and that can hand an edge to the Indian side.

 "India had been using Dinesh Karthik as their finisher but Rishabh Pant was back against Zimbabwe in their final group game on Sunday and is a freakish player in his own right. It will be interesting to see how they go with their keeper-batsman against England,” he added.

“I would choose Pant because of the unbelievable things he can do. Ideally, India would want Hardik Pandya coming in after Pant for the last five overs because he is a serious hitter and gives them that extra bowling option," Hussain wrote.