BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Twenty20 icon Chris Gayle believes India will be “so hard to beat” in Saturday’s final of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup but has warned about the danger posed by South Africa.
The Asian powerhouses take on the similarly unbeaten South Africans in the 10:30 am contest at Kensington Oval, which the 44-year-old Gayle described as “a final fit for the occasion.”
“We are at the end of what has been a brilliant ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and we have a final fit for the occasion,” Gayle, who twice won the coveted trophy during his stellar international career, said in an exclusive column for the International Cricket Council media.
“India and South Africa have played excellent cricket and deserve their place in Barbados this weekend.
“It will be hard to call, with two teams who have played clean and aggressive cricket throughout the tournament.”
He continued: “India are going to be so hard to beat. They bat so deep and, in Jasprit Bumrah, have a world-class death bowler who can break the hearts of the opponents.
“In contrast, I picked South Africa as a dark horse before the tournament began, and it is extraordinary to see them finally reach their first final after so many semi-final upsets.”
South Africa has endured a long heartbreak, missing out on major ICC World Cup titles after falling at the semi-final stage on seven occasions.
But Gayle, who has notched two hundred in scoring nearly 2,000 runs from 79 T20 Internationals, said it would be “special” if South Africa could finally break their jinx.
“Getting over the hump and winning a World Cup is so special, and if they can do it, it will create memories that will last a lifetime for the players and the nation,” said the Jamaican.
“I have won the T20 World Cup on two occasions, and they are among the most special experiences I have in life, let alone cricket.”
India boasts a team stacked with superstars, including batsmen Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant, seamers Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Gayle said this experience in India’s lineup perhaps gave them the edge in the final.
“I think experience counts for so much in finals. It’s why India will be so confident on Sunday,” he said.
“Whoever comes out on top will join a select group of people who can call themselves a Men’s T20 World Cup champion. I promise the winners, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world.”
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