India vs Pakistan is the flavour of the cricketing calendar. While the two teams have already met in their Group Stage face-off in Asia Cup 2023, the two teams will square off again in the Super Fours stage of the Continental tournament on September 10 in Colombo. Meanwhile, if the two sides manage to secure a place for themselves in the final, then fans will be treated to yet another IND vs PAK on September 17.
This is not at all as at least one more fixture is guaranteed between the two teams with the Asian arch-rivals set to meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14 come the ODI World Cup. Prior to these matches, both sides are gearing up to face each other. However, one major area of concern for Team India has been their struggles against the left-arm pacer.
The same continued during India and Pakistan's latest meet at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on September 2 (Saturday). After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India got off to a cautious start and it looked like the Men in Blue had prepared well for the left-arm pace challenger as Rohit was getting into the right position against Shaheen Shah Afridi. Once the play resumed after the rain-break, the same old problem came back to haunt India with Shaheen getting rid of both Rohit and Virat Kohli in successive overs.
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Talking about Rohit's struggles in particular, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said that the India captain appears to be a stunt double of the great player that he is. Akhtar shared his views during a virtual press conference organised by Star Sports.
"Yeh Rohit Sharma woh Rohit Sharma hai hi nahi. Yeh uska stunt double hai. Shaheen uske dimaag mein baith gaya hai.. I have never seen him change his stance, but what was happening there?
"Stance change kara, beat hua, bowled hua which loosely translates to he changed his stance and got bowled. Shaheen is subconsciously in his mind. This is what pressure of India vs Pakistan match does to players," said during a virtual press conference organised by Star Sports ahead of 'The Greatest Rivalry'.