T20 World Cup 2021: Wasim Akram Feels India Are Not Taking International Series Seriously, Highlights India's Mistakes Against New Zealand

Former Pakistan left-arm seamer Wasim Akram lashed out at the Indian side for not taking international seriously and thinking that the IPL games will be enough. India has been very poor in terms of their performances in the first two games against Pakistan and New Zealand, and their fate for a semifinal spot will not be in their hands anymore.

More than the losses, the intent is not right at the moment for the Indian side despite having a lot of match-winners and experienced players in the squad. With all other countries opting to play the international T20 series ahead of the T20 Worldcup, India last played a five-match test series against England and has come straight into the T20 World cup 2021 on the back of just the IPL 2021.

Wasim Akram Stresses On The Important Of Playing International Series

Wasim Akram was quite vocal about India’s performance in the T20 World cup 2021, stating that the BCCI should have played a lot more international T20 series rather than IPL. He added that league cricket is nowhere in comparison with international cricket.

“India last played a limited-overs series with all the senior players in March. Now we are in November. So that shows they are not taking those international series seriously.

“They think playing the IPL is enough. You play as much league cricket in the world that you want. While playing league cricket, you will find one or two good bowlers in the opposition. In international cricket, you will face all five good bowlers,” Wasim Akram was quoted as saying.

Wasim Akram Points Out The Mistakes By Indian Team

Wasim Akram mentioned that the toss had a psychological impact on the Indian team and was particularly not impressed by Rohit Sharma moving to number three from the opening slot. He added that with Rohit’s T20I records, the latter should have opened instead of Ishan, who could have been played at number three.

“It wasn’t a great game. It was a one-sided game. India committed a lot of mistakes. When they lost the toss, I feel they were pushed back a little psychologically. The biggest mess-up was downgraded Rohit Sharma to 3 in a crucial, do-or-die game. The guy has got four centuries in T20Is as opener. They could have made Ishan Kishan bat at 3 too. This was the start when the panic button was pressed,” He added.

India’s next fixture will be against the Afghanistan side tomorrow, and it is expected to be a high-intensity game with the group standings.

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