‘India openers Rohit Sharma, K L Rahul look intimidated, and scared’: Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, Team India’s openers, weren’t at their best against Pakistan. In the crucial encounter on Sunday of the T20 World Cup 2022, the two batters were unable to form a partnership. India was left reeling at 10-2 in 3.2 overs while chasing 160 as skipper Rohit followed in the footsteps of Rahul, who was removed after scoring just four runs. The middle order was under tremendous strain as a result of their quick terminations, and the needed run rate increased. Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel were quickly lost by the guys in blue, and at one time the scoreboard read merely 31-4 in 6.1 overs.

Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, who pulled together a record 113-run partnership and grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat, were responsible for India’s miraculous four-wicket triumph. However, despite the 2007 champions’ victory, critics of India’s openers from the very beginning of the prestigious competition continued to voice their concerns.

Rahul and Rohit, India’s openers, were criticized by former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for their inability to form a partnership. He criticized both for playing the game with an excessive amount of caution.

“Thore dabe lag rahe hai, thode dare-dare lag rahe hai, thode openers ki baat karenge. “India’s openers are looking afraid and terrified,” said Rohit Sharma as captain. “Apni batting gawa raha hai aur KL Rahul jyada concentration karke khudko fasa raha hai, wo na kare.” As a leader, Rohit has to control his temper since his batting is suffering. KL Rahul’s too-concentrated attitude is trapping him; he shouldn’t do this “on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said.

For his amazing 82* runs off 53 balls, Kohli was named Player of the Match. His power-hitting against quick bowler Haris Rauf enthralled the crowd. Kohli blasted two consecutive sixes in the 19th over to reduce the equation to 16 runs in the final over when 28 needed to be scored off only 8 balls. In the nail-biting last over, the former captain maintained his perfect record while assisting India to victory.

On Thursday, October 27, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Netherlands will be the opponent in Rohit Sharma and Company’s second game of the continental event.