'They need confidence' - Mahela Jayawardene believes India can fare well in T20 World Cup

Despite India’s unceremonious exit from the Asia Cup 2022 after being regarded as the frontrunner to win the competition, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene feels that the Men in Blue have the quality and tools to fare well in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. He said that there are a few areas that they need to work on.

Jayawardene reckons India have the talent and skill but they need to be potent in all the areas. He also pointed out that the unavailabilty of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was a big factor in their downfall in the Asia Cup. The 28-year-old seamer will be back leading India's pace battery in the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Australia.

The Sri Lankan added that Bumrah fills a major void as he provides the option to bowl with the new ball upfront and also at the death. "For me the way they (India) played, the skills, the talent, everything is there,” said Jayawardene on The ICC Review podcast. “They just need a little bit of confidence with the bat, with the ball and in the field.”

Virat Kohli is going to be a concern for the opposition: Jayawardene

“Obviously, not having Jasprit was also a factor. He fills a big gap for them with the new ball and at the back end. That will settle them as well when he is back in Australia,” added the former Sri Lankan batter. He also lauded Virat Kohli for the way he found his feet again in the Asia Cup. He believes that India now has stability in the line-up and that having Kohli in the team is a confidence booster. 

The 45-year-old feels that Kohli was always there but just did not have a big score as he did in the continental tournament. “In the Asia Cup he batted well, showed what he is capable of, especially in that batting position. Going forward for India, having that stability in that line-up and having confidence that a guy like Virat is going to be a factor, is going to be a concern for the opposition as well.”