‘Indian Openers ko thoda dar lag raha hai’- Shoaib Akhtar gives a big statement on the Indian Openers after Pakistan clash
India won the match by four wickets.
SHARE
Oct 26, 2022 10:30 am
Shoaib Akhtar, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (Source: Twitter)
India started their 20-20 World Cup opener on a good note as they clinched the last-ball thriller by four wickets against Pakistan. Virat Kohli made headlines as he played a blinder of a knock of 82 not out. He resurrected the innings from 31-4 along with Hardik Pandya with a 113-run partnership, which gave India the win.
However, before Kohli orchestrated that thrilling innings, India was not off to the best of starts as they lost their openers in quick succession. They were a bit afraid to play shots and they were not at their explosive best. After what unfolded, fans and experts raised concerns about the opening duo’s approach to the game.
The Indian Openers need to be calm- Shoaib Akthar
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akthar was critical of the openers, Rahul and Rohit. He criticised both the openers for having a timid approach. “India openers ki baat karenge, thore dabe lag rahe hai, thode dare-dare lag rahe hai. Rohit Sharma as a captain apne aap ko calm down kare, apni batting gawa raha hai aur KL Rahul jyada focus karke khudko fasa raha hai, wo na kare. (India’s openers are looking intimidated and scared. Rohit needs to calm down as a captain, his batting is bearing the brunt of it. KL Rahul is getting trapped because of his extra-focused approach, he shouldn’t do so),” said Akhtar on his YouTube channel).
Meanwhile, Kohli was awarded the player of the match for his whirlwind knock. Fans were treated to a spectacle as he changed the game for India in the fifth ball of the 19th over by hitting Harris Rauf for two successive sixes to turn the game in India’s favour.
This brought the equation down to 16 needed off the last over. Kohli was cool and calm as he saw the Men in Blue through a tense chase that gave India one of its most famous wins over Pakistan. The next task for India will be an encounter against the Netherlands that will at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 27th of October.
