In their opening matchup against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023, India’s starting lineup played overly defensively. The plan, however, failed when Rohit Sharma was bowled for 11 runs off of 22 balls and Shubman Gill was dismissed for 10 runs off of 32 balls.
In a Super Four match on Sunday, September 10, Babar Azam won the toss and asked India to bat first. Rohit and Shubman used a counterattacking strategy to disturb the formidable Pakistani pace attack. The Punjab hitter got going more quickly than Rohit, but after facing a few balls, the Indian captain joined in. The pair put up a 121-run partnership in just 17 overs, sending Babar’s team reeling. Dinesh Karthik praised the Indian openers’ aggressive approach and predicted that it will put pressure on Pakistan.
Pakistan would be concerned with how Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batted against Shaheen Afridi.
At the beginning of the innings, I thought the conditions were favorable for fast bowling, but India made the decisions, Karthik remarked on Cricbuzz.
Shaheen Afridi’s slower ball earns praise from Dinesh Karthik.
After the ‘Men in Blue’ got off to an amazing start, Pakistan fought back by getting rid of the two openers. When Rohit holed out to long-off off Shadab Khan’s bowling, it was the result of a sloppy stroke. Shubman, on the other hand, was outwitted by Shaheen Afridi’s slower delivery. The left-arm bowler dismissed a set Hardik Pandya in the previous match between the Asian heavyweights on a slower pitch. Karthik praised Shaheen’s variation and outlined why it’s challenging to pick him with his slower delivery.
Shaheen Afridi’s slower delivery is difficult for batters to predict because of his wrist flick. Shaheen Shah Afridi has tricked an Indian hitter twice, Karthik continued.
On Monday, India’s innings will continue from 147/2 in 24.1 overs with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Because of how intriguingly poised the match appears to be, fans will be hoping that the weather holds out.