IND vs NED: India Openers Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul Seem So Intimidated And Scared: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar stated that India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul looked under pressure against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match on Sunday.

India had a horrendous start while chasing the 160-run target. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf dented India’s run chase by sending Rahul and Rohit back to the dugout early on. Naseem struck and cleaned up Rahul (4 off 8) before Iftikhar Ahmed took a blinder at slip to dismiss Rohit (4 off 7) off the bowling of Haris.

In their opening matches against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul of Team India weren’t at their best. In Sunday’s crucial T20 World Cup 2022 encounter, the two batters were unable to form a partnership. India was left floundering at 10-2 in 3.2 overs while chasing 160 as Rahul was removed after scoring only four runs.

Captain Rohit quickly followed suit. Their instant dismissals increased the required run pace and put tremendous strain on the middle order. The scoreboard read at 31-4 in 6.1 overs at one point as the men in blue quickly lost Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel.

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 victory. However, despite the 2007 champions’ victory, critics of India’s openers from the very beginning of the renowned tournament continued to voice their concerns.

India’s starting lineup appeared under pressure: Shoaib Akhtar

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 care.

“India’s starting lineup appeared under pressure. KL Rahul is losing his wicket by concentrating too much on himself, and Rohit Sharma, as captain, needs to relax “On his YouTube channel, Shoaib Akhtar stated.

Shoaib Akhtar also expressed optimism for a rematch between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup’s later rounds. “India has currently won one game while Pakistan has suffered one loss. In a later round of this World Cup, Pakistan will face India once more. Only after India and Pakistan’s match does the World Cup begin.”

On Thursday, October 27, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Rohit Sharma and company will take on the Netherlands in their second match of the continental event.

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