India’s pace attack has been on fire in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. However, when Indian pacers faced challenges, spinners seamlessly took charge and rose to the occasion.
Well, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar warned the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team about the potential challenge facing New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, ahead of the first semifinal of the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023. This match will be played at Wankhede Stadium on November 12.
Gavaskar said that Williamson's exceptional footwork and strategic approach will help the New Zealand captain navigate Team India's in-form spin attack, including the wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, in the much-awaited semifinal clash in Mumbai.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “He's such a great player; it doesn't matter if he's come out from a big break and he's scored runs. So, I don't think it's going to make much of a difference.”
The former Indian captain added, “He uses his feet really well to go down the pitch to smother the turn if needed; he then goes and uses the crease as well. So, he's a very good player. I don't think he is going to be fussed about playing Kuldeep; he will know how to tackle him.”
The legendary batter further pointed out that Williamson's game in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 goes beyond just technical skill and precise shots.
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The New Zealander has not only shown his cricketing finesse, but has also been willing to play aerial shots, which is different from his style in 2019. Williamson's this attacking approach makes him a more versatile and unpredictable batter now.
Gavaskar further noted, “If needed, you don't want to hit him for boundaries; just work it away for six singles if that is required. Then, six runs an over is a good scoring rate by any standard, so he will look to do that. When the boundary ball comes along, he will hit the boundary ball, so we've seen his willingness to take more risks.”
He signed off by saying, “We haven't seen that side of Kane Williamson maybe in 2019, but here, we have seen him take the aerial route. He got out on a shot for a 100 the other day; he got out on 95, but that's because he had taken the aerial route, and he will probably look to do that against Kuldeep Yadav as well.”
