Team India advanced to the Super Four stage by defeating Nepal with a convincing 10-wicket victory in their recent match at the Asia Cup 2023. Notably, India’s opening match against arch-rivals Pakistan was washed out due to rain.
In that game, team India had a dreadful start, scraping together just 66 runs while losing four wickets in a mere 14.1 overs. Pakistan’s pacers, led by Shaheen Afridi, wreaked havoc on India’s top order by removing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Haris Rauf chipped in by snatching the prized wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill.
Had it not been for the outstanding partnership of 138 runs between Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan for the fifth wicket, team India would have struggled to breach the hundred-run barrier. Hardik Pandya scored 87 runs, while Ishan Kishan managed 82.
It’s safe to claim that team India’s top order has a weakness against left-arm pacers, and their recent struggles against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack were evident once more in their latest encounter. However, India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, emphasised that while Pakistan has a strong attack, Indian batters are also capable of posting big totals.
Here’s what Vikram Rathour said in the post-match presser on Monday:
“Of course, they are a good bowling attack. The conditions were different in the game against Pakistan. The wicket was doing something when the new ball was into the play and there was a rain interruption as well which the batters usually don’t like to have. But we managed to recover after losing early wickets, which is a good sign.”
On being asked about Indian batters constant struggle against the deadly Pakistan bowling attack here’s what Rathour added:
“Aisa kuch nahi hai ki khel nahi sakte hain(It’s nothing like that we can’t play them). They have a good bowling attack and on certain days, they will have the edge. But the day we get a good start, our batters are also capable of putting up a big score.”
Team India is set to face Pakistan on September 10 in Colombo, and the spotlight will once again be on players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They will be eager to capitalize on this chance after falling short of expectations in their last encounter.
