"Farooqi has got the skills to knock over both Virat and Rohit LBW"- Dale Steyn ahead of IND vs AFG T20 World Cup clash

South Africa legend Dale Steyn believes Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi could cause huge problems for India's star openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two teams are set to lock horns in the Super Eight in Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

Farooqi has picked up the most wickets in the tournament so far with 12 scalps to his name from four innings at an economy rate of just 5.58. Notably, he has picked up wickets with the new ball. Steyn believes the Afghanistan pacer can swing the ball late and get both Rohit and Virat out LBW.

Speaking in a video posted by ICC, here's what Dale Steyn had to say about Fazalhaq Farooqi:

"One of the defining factors for me is going to be the new ball bowler Farooqi. He is the leading wicket-taker in this year's T20 World Cup and the big thing for me is his left-arm seam and swing against India's right-arm (right-handed) opening batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Being a left-armer Farooqi has got the skills to knock over both Virat and Rohit LBW."

Steyn shed light on how Shaheen Afridi had dismissed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the 2021 T20 World Cup and felt Farooqi can have a similar impact.

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Dale Steyn on Farooqi's plan for Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant at No. 3 has been India's trump card in the T20 World Cup so far and they seem to have given him the license to go for his shots and express himself. Dale Steyn feels Fazalhaq Farooqi can also dismiss Pant with conventional swing and seam movement and get the batter's outside edge.

On this, the former cricketer stated:

"Once Rishabh Pant comes in, Farooqi's skills of taking the ball away from him could find that edge in Barbados. Early morning start, it is going to be an interesting one, but I think that's going to be the big challenge for India in that game."

The Indian top-order hasn't quite fired yet together as a unit and the conditions in New York were understandably tough for the batters. With Barbados likely to have better batting conditions, the Men in Blue will hope for big scores from their big guns at the top.