NEW DELHI, Sep 7: Playing at home, and with intense media scrutiny, will put the Indian cricket team under a lot of pressure in the upcoming World Cup, feels former Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Akhtar added the stage is set perfectly for Pakistan, the No. 1 ODI side, to lift the trophy and give the country something to cheer about amid the serious economic situation.
India’s performance in ICC events has left much to be desired as they have yet to win a world title since the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph under 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 said during a virtual press conference 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 lot of pressure because of 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 have this feeling… Why India could not pick their XI in last two years. It’s a very strange thing to me that your squad is not settled. Who is your No. 4, where will Virat (Kohli) play 3, 4 or 5? Ishan Kishan looks amazing, can bat anywhere. “Hardik Pandya is an asset. Look what he has done with Gujarat Titans (in IPL).
“But India is not being a settled squad for (the) last two years, this is a very strange thing for me. Who will occupy which slot?” he asked. “I’m all for Rohit, Virat, but everyday you got to perform because you got a name. You have to be out there, and lead by example. But the bowling and batting both look unsettled to me.”
(PTI)
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