IPL 2024 Absence of Indian Players a "Blessing in Disguise" for T20 World Cup, Says Wasim Akram

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 concluded with the Kolkata Knight Riders emerging victorious, claiming their third title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. However, the absence of Team India players in the final has sparked commentary from Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who views it as a "blessing in disguise" for Indian cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Akram, speaking to Sportskeeda, emphasized that the lack of Indian players in the IPL final allows them to concentrate solely on their preparations for the World Cup, without the additional strain of a prolonged tournament. "Now, at least none of them will have to claim fatigue. They were thinking ahead, prioritizing India over reaching the final. It could be a blessing in disguise for India," Akram stated.

Akram, who had previously expressed concerns about player fatigue due to the demanding IPL schedule, noted that the Indian contingent would benefit from the additional rest and preparation time. "We discussed in the previous show that I was worried about their potential fatigue, and they will be tired, no doubt. Even America is not their home ground. I think Pakistan's first match is in Dallas. Now they will go and play there, with one or two practice matches. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20, the boys will recover, and nowadays fitness levels are very high," he added.

The Indian squad has already arrived in New York to prepare for the T20 World Cup. They will play a warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1 at Nassau County, providing crucial practice time before the tournament begins. The early focus on preparation is expected to give India a better chance this time around.

The T20 World Cup is set to start on June 2, with Rohit Sharma's Team India beginning their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. The absence of Indian players in the IPL final ensures they are well-rested and focused, an advantage that Akram believes could be pivotal.

Tags: #IPL2024, #T20WorldCup, #WasimAkram, #TeamIndia, #PlayerFatigue