If India’s Middle-Order Performs, the Team Would Become Even Stronger: Inzamam-Ul-Haq
Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq feels the Indian middle-order trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane have misfired badly and they need to find their form in order to win the series in England.
After the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul set up a brilliant platform for India with a 127-run stand, the middle-order failed to capitalize on it. Although Kohli scored a fidgety 42, Pujara and Rahane had scores of nine and one to show for their effort respectively.
The three batsmen average around 20’s in the last couple of years, and that has put a lot of pressure on the youngsters to perform. While talking on his YouTube channel, Inzamam mentioned the same.
“During the 18-20 months from 2019 to 2021, the three main players of India have not performed. Pujara hasn’t scored a ton during these 20 months. Ajinkya Rahane has not performed well. He hasn’t even averaged 20 during 2021.”
“There is no doubt that Virat Kohli is a great player. People consider him as the no.1 player. Even he doesn’t have a century in this period. When even these players start to perform, this team would become even stronger,” Inzamam said.
“The youngsters have taken the responsibility of the Indian batting” – Inzamam-ul-Haq
Although the middle-order has been a huge let-down to the team, India has still been on the victorious side more often than not. This is more or less due to the talent that has been homegrown over the last few years. Youngsters like Rishabh Pant have put their hand up when the team has been in trouble.
“The major weight of the Indian batting line-up has been shouldered by the youngsters during the last couple of years. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and even Ravindra Jadeja have scored runs in the middle-order whenever the situation arose.”
“They have taken on the responsibility of the Indian batting. The Indian victories overseas have to be attributed to the contribution from these youngsters,” Inzamam pointed out.
The trio of Rahane, Pujara, and Kohli will have another chance in the second innings of the Lord’s Test. Plenty feel Rahane and Pujara are living on borrowed time.
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