Former South African captain Shaun Pollock believes Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy will hold the key against South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Chakravarthy has been in rich form form, taking nine wickets in four matches of the tournament at a stunning average of 6.89. Chakravarthy has been providing the crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs and has done a terrific job.

On the other hand, India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has scalped four wickets in three matches of the T20I showpiece at an average of 13.50 and has bowled with an economy rate of six. Bumrah is effective at both ends of the innings and has consistently delivered.

“I think South Africa and India have got personnel who can kind of match each other on a day. So Quinton (de Kock) can fire. He can match what Abhishek (Sharma) can do. Aiden (Markram) can fire. He can kind of match whoever,” Pollock said to SuperSport.

“I’m just saying when I look down at the lineups, I think for me, the point of difference is the two bowlers in Bumrah and Chakaravarthy.”

Pollock said Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah’s uniqueness puts India in good stead.

“Not saying that South Africa haven’t got some quality, but it’s just the rare nature of the way they kind of deliver the ball that gives them maybe that little bit of an edge. Bumrah is very unorthodox. He’s got a wonderful wrist position. He bowls brilliantly in the Powerplays with a new ball, if he has to in the middle, and his death bowling is pretty exceptional as well,” he said.

“And then who controls the middle overs for them? Chakaravarthy…When you talk about matchups. He’s a guy who can, doesn’t matter who’s at the crease, whether it’s left hand or right hand that comes to the crease, he is a guy who can dictate to him. So, I think they’ve just got a little bit of an edge over us in that department,” he added.

India will take on South Africa in their opening game of the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.