‘The shake-up India needed’: Ravi Shastri warns defending champions must act fast to save T20 World Cup semi-final hopes
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 25, 2026
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India’s hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals were dealt a blow with their defeat to South Africa, but former head coach Ravi Shastri believes this setback could be the "shake-up" the team needed. He emphasized that the loss, while damaging, might push India to reassess their strategy and adapt quickly, especially ahead of their crucial match against Zimbabwe.
Shastri noted that after a streak of 12 consecutive wins, a defeat was inevitable and came at an opportune time to avoid complacency. However, he warned that another loss could jeopardize their chances of advancing further in the tournament. He stressed the importance of learning from this experience and urged the team to strengthen their bowling options, particularly by bringing back Axar Patel.
The coach also dismissed concerns about India’s batting depth, asserting that the issue lies with the lack of a strong bowling attack rather than their batters. Shastri highlighted the need for additional options in the bowling department to ensure they are prepared for any off day in the tournament.
For India, the stakes could not be higher as they face a must-win match against Zimbabwe. The outcome of this game will determine whether they can salvage their semi-final hopes and how quickly they can adapt to the challenges posed by their opponents.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/25/2026