Sreesanth wants Bumrah to finish Babar Azam and Rizwan

The Indian cricket team begins its T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5, but the spotlight is already on the June 9 match against Pakistan.

With anticipation building, former India pacer S Sreesanth has urged star bowler Jasprit Bumrah to target Pakistan's Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

In a Star Sports interview, Sreesanth suggested Bumrah should open the bowling, especially against Pakistan.

"It will be worth seeing who is putting the new ball. If Arshdeep bowls the first over who made him struggle, We have seen their weakness before. When they start attacking, if they don't stop the runs, they will knock out a lot of bowlers. I think if we don't get the wickets in the powerplay, the match between Pakistan and India will be very tough. I think on 9th June, India needs to pick a wicket in the first over" said Sreesanth.

"I want Bumrah to come first and bowl the first over. We have heard who will take the new ball, but I think if you are watching Bumrah, please finish Rizwan and Babar first", he added.

India and Pakistan have faced off seven times in T20 World Cups, with India winning five matches and Pakistan winning one. The other match ended in a tie, with India winning the bowl-out. Pakistan's sole victory came in 2021 when Babar Azam's team defeated Virat Kohli's team.