Kumar Sangakkara and Sunil Gavaskar reckon India can make semi-final of World T20

Former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara and former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar have echoed that the Indians still have a very good chance to make it to the semifinals of the World T20 2016. The Indians came back from the jaws of defeat to pull off an unlikely one-run win over a decently constructed Bangladesh unit.

Kumar Sangakkara was the first to comment on the situation stating that the Indians certainly have the experience when it comes to such pressure situations. He also pointed out that they haven’t made any significant changes to their starting XI, meaning that they are a stable unit.

“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.

MS Dhoni revisited the 2007 World T20, where he took a risk with Joginder Sharma to hand the ball to the inexperienced Hardik Pandya. Despite giving away runs in his first three deliveries, Pandya struck back, claiming two of the three wickets that fell, therefore completing the Indian fairytale story. MS Dhoni was perhaps the first person to comment on the feat achieved by Pandya.

“I feel it was a very good game against Bangladesh, specially for the youngsters, who have not played under pressure earlier. For someone like a Hardik Pandya this was first proper interaction with pressure,” said Dhoni after the game.

Echoing the words of MS Dhoni, Sangakkara stated that the Indians have indeed woken up from their slumber following the intense win over Bangladesh.

“Yes they can. I think they might have turned the corner with the high-pressure game against Bangladesh,” Sangakkara added.

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar too echoed the similar statements made by Sangakkara, stating that the Indians may have recovered, but will have to be wary of the test the Aussies will put them through.

“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.