Wasim Akram Pokes Fun at India T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram pokes fun at India T20 World Cup squad after the conclusion of IPL 2024, stirring social media debate and sparking fresh India–Pakistan cricket chatter. His remarks came in a humorous, light-hearted tone, but they quickly became headline material due to their timing—right before the T20 World Cup.

Akram’s comments targeted the fact that none of India’s selected players for the T20 World Cup featured in the IPL 2024 final, which was contested between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Only Rinku Singh played in the final, and even he is part of the squad only as a traveling reserve.

The former pacer shared his views during an interview with Sportskeeda Cricket, jokingly saying that this time Indian players would not be able to use fatigue as an excuse during the upcoming World Cup. As soon as the clip went viral, fans from both countries joined in with their own banter.

Also Read: Salman Ali Agha to Lead Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026

Akram’s Light-Hearted Dig Over IPL Fatigue | Wasim Akram pokes fun at India T20 World Cup squad

While speaking with Sportskeeda, Wasim Akram humorously remarked:

“At least this time, Indian players will not make an excuse of being tired during the mega event.”

This jab was aimed at the long-standing debate around how the lengthy IPL season impacts player workload, especially ahead of major ICC tournaments. Akram further joked that Indian players seemed to be “thinking ahead,” possibly suggesting that they preferred being fresh for the T20 World Cup rather than pushing hard for the IPL final.

He added:

“They were probably thinking ahead, focusing on playing for the country rather than reaching the IPL final. This might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for India.”

His words highlight a real concern: players have to balance franchise cricket with national duties, something that becomes more challenging when the IPL stretches nearly three months.

Workload Management and Travel Concerns

Wasim Akram has previously expressed concerns that Indian cricketers, who play a high number of high-pressure IPL matches, may be fatigued heading into the World Cup. He also mentioned that traveling to the USA — where India’s T20 World Cup matches will be hosted — adds another layer of difficulty.

However, he softened his stance by acknowledging the superior fitness levels of modern cricketers:

“Nowadays, fitness levels are very high. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20 — the boys will recover.”

His balanced perspective indicates that while workload is a valid issue, the short format offers players some breathing space.

Which Indian Players Missed the IPL Playoffs?

A major talking point is that none of the 15 members of India’s T20 World Cup squad played in the IPL final, with many missing the playoffs altogether. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and other key players exited early with their respective franchises.

This rare scenario strengthened Akram’s humorous suggestion that Indian players were “more focused on the World Cup than the IPL.”

Players who didn’t reach the latter stages of the IPL began departing for the USA earlier than expected. Captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj left for New York on Saturday night and arrived on Monday.

India’s Complete T20 World Cup 2024 Squad

India’s squad for the mega global event includes a blend of experience and youth:

Main Squad

• Rohit Sharma (c)

• Hardik Pandya (vc)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Virat Kohli

• Suryakumar Yadav

• Rishabh Pant (wk)

• Sanju Samson (wk)

• Shivam Dube

• Ravindra Jadeja

• Axar Patel

• Kuldeep Yadav

• Yuzvendra Chahal

• Arshdeep Singh

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Mohammed Siraj

Reserves

• Shubman Gill

• Rinku Singh

• Khaleel Ahmed

• Avesh Khan

This combination gives India a solid batting lineup and a deadly spin attack along with world-class fast bowling options.

Also Read: India Googled Asia Cup 2025 More Than ICC Events Worldwide

India’s T20 World Cup Schedule in the USA

India’s campaign begins on June 5, and the schedule is as follows:

• June 1 (Warm-up): vs Bangladesh – New York

• June 5: vs Ireland – New York

• June 9: vs Pakistan – New York (highly anticipated clash)

• June 12: vs USA – New York

• June 15: vs Canada – Florida

These matches are expected to attract massive crowds, especially the India vs Pakistan encounter.

Akram’s Second Viral Comment: IPL Is “Too Long”

During a PSL promotional event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Akram once again made headlines. While praising the Pakistan Super League for being short and action-packed, he joked about IPL’s lengthy duration.

He said:

“The best thing about PSL is that it lasts for 34 days. It’s not three months long like other leagues… bachay baday ho jatay hain, woh league khatam hi nahi hoti.”

(Translation: Kids grow up but the league still doesn’t end!)

This comment drew laughter from the audience and quickly went viral back home in India and Pakistan.

IPL vs PSL: A Quick Comparison

IPL

• Duration: Nearly 2.5–3 months

• Teams: 10

• Matches: 70+

• Global viewership: Massive

PSL

• Duration: ~34–40 days

• Teams: 6

• Matches: 34

• Compact scheduling

While Akram’s remarks were humorous, they reflected genuine discussions about tournament length, player fatigue, and scheduling challenges.

Social Media Buzz and Fan Reactions

Cricket fans turned Akram’s comments into memes instantly. Indian fans defended the IPL’s structure and unmatched popularity, while Pakistan fans celebrated their legend’s quick wit. Sports portals and social media handles ran headlines quoting Akram’s playful digs.

Despite the banter, there was no negativity — Akram’s humorous tone kept things light and entertaining.

Conclusion

Wasim Akram pokes fun at India T20 World Cup squad in a playful, good-spirited manner, adding excitement in the buildup to the T20 World Cup 2024. His remarks highlight ongoing discussions about IPL fatigue, workload management, and long tournament schedules. With India set to face historic rivals Pakistan on June 9, the buzz is only getting louder.