NEW DELHI: Playing at house, and with intense media scrutiny, will put the Indian cricket workforce underneath a whole lot of strain within the upcoming World Cup, feels former Pakistan tempo bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Akhtar added the stage is about completely for Pakistan, the No. 1 ODI facet, to elevate the trophy and provides the nation one thing to cheer about amid the intense financial scenario.
India’s efficiency in ICC occasions has left a lot to be desired as they’ve but to win a world title because the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph underneath Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“Pakistan’s going to be all lonely there (in India). Having said that, they will be under no pressure. Playing at home, in front of own crowd, all the pressure will be on India; we will do better,” Akhtar mentioned throughout a digital press convention organised by Star Sports.
“All the stadiums will be packed, and more than two billion people will be following the live action on TV or social media and what not. The Indian media will put an incredible amount of pressure on Pakistan, they will build it up like Mahabharata. They will already declare India as the winners… that’s an uncalled amount of pressure to have ahead of the game.
“(But) Rohit Sharma and India are going to face a whole lot of strain due to that.”
India will take on Pakistan in the most-anticipated World Cup clash in Ahmedabad on October 14.
But before that, they will clash in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday, and may also head for a possible title showdown on September 17.
Akhtar said the Indian team is still “unsettled” with less than a month left for the World Cup, beginning on October 5.
“Why do I’ve this sense… why India couldn’t choose their XI in final two years. It’s a really unusual factor to me that your squad will not be settled. Who is your No. 4, the place will Virat (Kohli) play 3, 4 or 5? Ishan Kishan seems to be superb, can bat anyplace.
“Hardik Pandya is an asset. Look what he has done with Gujarat Titans (in IPL).
“But India will not be being a settled squad for (the) final two years, it is a very unusual factor for me. Who will occupy which slot?” he asked.
“I’m all for Rohit, Virat, however on a regular basis you bought to carry out since you obtained a reputation. You should be on the market, and lead by instance. But the bowling and batting each look unsettled to me.”
“Why did Indian selectors ignore Chahal?”
Akhtar also questioned the Indian selectors for ignoring Yuzvendra Chahal for the World Cup.
“Not choosing Chahal is past me. The downside with India is that once they get out for 150-200, they may improve the batters however by no means the bowlers.
“What do you expect if you want to take batting till No. 8. If the top-five can’t contribute, what will (No.) 7-8 do? You are banking on (Ravindra) Jadeja? I believe that you (India) are playing with one bowler less.”
He additionally took a dig at Rohit and mentioned Shaheen Afridi was taking part in on the Indian skipper’s thoughts after the Pakistani fast cleaned him up within the Asia Cup.
“Yeh Rohit Sharma woh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi. Yeh uska stunt double hai (This is not the same Rohit Sharma. This is his stunt double),” mentioned Akhtar.
“Shaheen has made his way into his mind. I have never seen Rohit change his stance, but what was happening there (in Sri Lanka)? He (Rohit) changed it (stance), was beaten and bowled. Shaheen is subconsciously in his mind. This is what the pressure of an India versus Pakistan match does to players,” he added.
“Stage set for Pakistan to elevate the Cup, revive financial system”
Akhtar said Pakistan will have the advantage as all the attention will be on the home team.
“Pakistan, however, will probably be all lonely with solely 15 members there, sticking collectively. (I) will inform them to play ‘with out worry’.”
Akhtar added he had an intuition that this World Cup will go to Pakistan.
“Why this World Cup is so necessary for us, as a result of it is going to be particular taking part in in India and successful in India. I do not know, I could also be fallacious… however this stage is being set for an India-Pakistan closing and significantly for Pakistan.
“I will be praying that the Pakistan team wins because we are struggling with economic reforms, and our critical financial situation. This is the only thing that can lift the nation… if we lift the World Cup in India and before that the Asia Cup,” he mentioned.
“Pace trio reminds me of old days”
Hailing Pakistan’s three-pronged tempo assault of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Akhtar mentioned it reminded him of the Wasim Akram-Waqar Younis era.
“This pace battery reminds me of the old days, the era of two Ws. They are confident and have a similar mindset of taking wickets,” he mentioned.
The Pakistani trio has taken 23 wickets within the first three matches of the Asia Cup. Afridi had ripped the Indian high order of their rain-interrupted conflict in Pallekele on September 2.
“I would say Shaheen is on top of his career right now, while Haris Rauf has a wicket-taking mindset. I would advise Naseem to bowl more wicket-taking deliveries. He’s not the stock bowler, I’ve told the team management.”
Akhtar added the stage is about completely for Pakistan, the No. 1 ODI facet, to elevate the trophy and provides the nation one thing to cheer about amid the intense financial scenario.
India’s efficiency in ICC occasions has left a lot to be desired as they’ve but to win a world title because the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph underneath Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“Pakistan’s going to be all lonely there (in India). Having said that, they will be under no pressure. Playing at home, in front of own crowd, all the pressure will be on India; we will do better,” Akhtar mentioned throughout a digital press convention organised by Star Sports.
“All the stadiums will be packed, and more than two billion people will be following the live action on TV or social media and what not. The Indian media will put an incredible amount of pressure on Pakistan, they will build it up like Mahabharata. They will already declare India as the winners… that’s an uncalled amount of pressure to have ahead of the game.
“(But) Rohit Sharma and India are going to face a whole lot of strain due to that.”
India will take on Pakistan in the most-anticipated World Cup clash in Ahmedabad on October 14.
But before that, they will clash in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday, and may also head for a possible title showdown on September 17.
Akhtar said the Indian team is still “unsettled” with less than a month left for the World Cup, beginning on October 5.
“Why do I’ve this sense… why India couldn’t choose their XI in final two years. It’s a really unusual factor to me that your squad will not be settled. Who is your No. 4, the place will Virat (Kohli) play 3, 4 or 5? Ishan Kishan seems to be superb, can bat anyplace.
“Hardik Pandya is an asset. Look what he has done with Gujarat Titans (in IPL).
“But India will not be being a settled squad for (the) final two years, it is a very unusual factor for me. Who will occupy which slot?” he asked.
“I’m all for Rohit, Virat, however on a regular basis you bought to carry out since you obtained a reputation. You should be on the market, and lead by instance. But the bowling and batting each look unsettled to me.”
“Why did Indian selectors ignore Chahal?”
Akhtar also questioned the Indian selectors for ignoring Yuzvendra Chahal for the World Cup.
“Not choosing Chahal is past me. The downside with India is that once they get out for 150-200, they may improve the batters however by no means the bowlers.
“What do you expect if you want to take batting till No. 8. If the top-five can’t contribute, what will (No.) 7-8 do? You are banking on (Ravindra) Jadeja? I believe that you (India) are playing with one bowler less.”
He additionally took a dig at Rohit and mentioned Shaheen Afridi was taking part in on the Indian skipper’s thoughts after the Pakistani fast cleaned him up within the Asia Cup.
“Yeh Rohit Sharma woh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi. Yeh uska stunt double hai (This is not the same Rohit Sharma. This is his stunt double),” mentioned Akhtar.
“Shaheen has made his way into his mind. I have never seen Rohit change his stance, but what was happening there (in Sri Lanka)? He (Rohit) changed it (stance), was beaten and bowled. Shaheen is subconsciously in his mind. This is what the pressure of an India versus Pakistan match does to players,” he added.
“Stage set for Pakistan to elevate the Cup, revive financial system”
Akhtar said Pakistan will have the advantage as all the attention will be on the home team.
“Pakistan, however, will probably be all lonely with solely 15 members there, sticking collectively. (I) will inform them to play ‘with out worry’.”
Akhtar added he had an intuition that this World Cup will go to Pakistan.
“Why this World Cup is so necessary for us, as a result of it is going to be particular taking part in in India and successful in India. I do not know, I could also be fallacious… however this stage is being set for an India-Pakistan closing and significantly for Pakistan.
“I will be praying that the Pakistan team wins because we are struggling with economic reforms, and our critical financial situation. This is the only thing that can lift the nation… if we lift the World Cup in India and before that the Asia Cup,” he mentioned.
“Pace trio reminds me of old days”
Hailing Pakistan’s three-pronged tempo assault of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Akhtar mentioned it reminded him of the Wasim Akram-Waqar Younis era.
“This pace battery reminds me of the old days, the era of two Ws. They are confident and have a similar mindset of taking wickets,” he mentioned.
The Pakistani trio has taken 23 wickets within the first three matches of the Asia Cup. Afridi had ripped the Indian high order of their rain-interrupted conflict in Pallekele on September 2.
“I would say Shaheen is on top of his career right now, while Haris Rauf has a wicket-taking mindset. I would advise Naseem to bowl more wicket-taking deliveries. He’s not the stock bowler, I’ve told the team management.”
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com