- It’s time for the arch-rivals clash as India takes on Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Pallekela International Stadium. The India-Pakistan game is a treat for all cricket fans worldwide as both captains walk in for the toss. Indian captain Rohit Sharma wins and chooses to bat, looking at the overcast conditions.
The Indian openers, Rohit and andShubman Gill came into the crease with a positive mindset and with a clear plan in their minds; both Rohit andShubman Gill played consciously by leaving the ball well outside off stump and defending nicely before the heavens open as the rain intercepted the play after 4.2 over with the score of 15 on the board.
SHAHEEN AFRIDI AND HARIS RAUF BREAK THE BACK OF THE INDIANS
After the rain interception, Pakisthan came back and bowled the perfect length to captain Rohit Sharma as Shaheen Shah Afridi exploited his weakness once again as the Indian captain got bowled, and in the very next over, he got the big wicket of Virat Kholi chopped on getting an inside age and hitting on to its stump he came back and removed Hardik Pandya and Jadeja in style to finish with the 4for 35 in his quota of overs
On the other hand, his teammate Harris Ruf rattled through the Indian middle order and took three of the most important wickets in the form of Shubman Gill, who, just like virat, got chopped onto his stumps, breaking the vital partnership by removing Ishan Kishan, who top-edged the short ball, which is safely caught by the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and a wicket of Shreyas Iyer.
All ten wickets of the Indian innings were taken by the fast bowlers as Naseem Shah also took 3 wickets to wrap up the tail and bring the Indian innings to an end.
ISHAN, HARDIK TO THE RESCUE
At one stage, India were reduced to 64 for 4. Hardik Pandya joined hands with Ishan Kishan, as the duo played sensible cricket and rescued the Indian team from trouble; both played some attacking shorts to put the pressure back on the Pakistan fast bowlers as they took the attack to the spinners, especially Shadab Khan, as he gave away 57 runs in his 9 overs.
Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan shifted gears after reaching their fifties as they played glories shorts all over the ground. In that process, Ishan Kishan got out after scoring a fantastic 82 for hardik. It’s unfortunate for him to get out as he edged to cover on 87
WHY THE INDIAN TOP ORDER FAILING FOR THE SWING BOWLING
The question has been raised almost every game when they get dismissed to the good-quality fast bowlers, especially Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. It is visible that the Indian top order is weak in facing swing and out-swinging deliveries, and repeating the same mistakes against one particular bowler is unforgivable when you have the World Cup around the corner; all the batters need to work on their technique, especially to the balls outside off stump.
Rain returned and ruined the second half of the game as the game was called off without a ball bowled in the second innings.