As the Super Eights phase of the T20 World Cup is about to kick off on Wednesday, Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma is confident that explosive batsman Rishabh Pant will be crucial for the Indian squad. Pant made a comeback to international cricket following a serious accident in December 2022. He regained his form during his stint as captain of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, scoring 446 runs in 13 games at an average of 40.55. His form continued into the T20 World Cup, as evidenced by his innovative reverse scoop shot in the match against Ireland. Pant has scored 96 runs in three matches at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 124.67 on challenging pitches in New York. Ishant, who played under Pant's leadership in IPL 2024, believes the best is yet to come from Pant, describing him as a 'world-class' player.

Before the tournament began, several former cricket stars predicted India's semifinal entry. With their strong start, some fans are optimistic about India's chances of reaching the final. The team has seen positive performances in the US, with skipper Rohit Sharma hitting a fifty, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube regaining form, and Arshdeep Singh excelling with the ball. Ishant notes that the current Indian team's depth, with different players contributing in each game, sets them apart from previous editions. He highlighted various contributions, including Rohit Sharma's half-century, Suryakumar Yadav's return to form, Arshdeep Singh's four wickets, and Rishabh Pant's consistent scores.

In the first three games, India opted for a pace-heavy lineup, which kept spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal out of the playing eleven. However, in the upcoming matches in the West Indies, spinners might play a more significant role. India will face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 match at Kensington Oval Barbados on Thursday.

Super Eights Group A includes Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, and India, while Group B consists of England, South Africa, USA, and West Indies. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The Super Eights schedule is set, with all matches, semifinals, and the final to be played in the West Indies.