India vs Pakistan: Rohit Sharma is a fantastic leader, he manages bowlers well, says Irfan Pathan
India Today
Irfan Pathan said that India captain Rohit Sharma managed the bowlers well against Pakistan in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup. Rohit's captaincy was questioned after bowlers failed to defend the 180-run target.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan backed captain Rohit Sharma’s tactics against Pakistan, saying he manages bowlers well and knows when to play which bowler.
Rohit’s strategy against Pakistan in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup was questioned after the India bowlers failed to defend the 182-run target. However, Pathan said that he was impressed with how Rohit rotated the bowlers and utilised the spinners at the right moments.
“A captain can be tested on two things, especially how he handles the bowler, especially when the bowlers are new and when you are defending too. These two times you get to realise and I have seen time and again Rohit Sharma is a fantastic leader. He manages the bowlers really well, he knows when to play which bowler,” Pathan said while speaking on Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’.
During the 182-run chase, legspinner Ravi Bishnoi got the big wicket of Babar Azam in his first over. The Pakistan captain tried to play towards midwicket but ended up giving a catch straight to Rohit. However, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz, who was promoted to No.4, played the match-turning knocks.
The duo stitched a 73-run stand for the third wicket before Bhuvneshwar Kumar ended Nawaz's (42 off 20) stay. Hardik Pandya then removed Rizwan (71 off 51), bringing in two new batters, but it didn't deter Pakistan's plan as the damage was already done. Pakistan eventually beat India by five wickets in the last over.
“Made Bishnoi bowl an over during the power play, he had taken a wicket but he still kept him waiting, did not let him bowl another over and got him again after Chahal’s over as he knows Bishnoi is a different kind of bowler, not a typical leg spin bowler, doesn’t bowl side arm so it was difficult for Pakistan to read his bowling style that is why he had given just 8 runs off his first two overs," Pathan said.
Pathan added that he is hopeful when the whole team India gets back, people will get to see a better performance. India are missing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel in the continental tournament. The bowlers were unavailable for selection owing to injuries. In their absence, BCCI named Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan as pacer bowlers for the Asia Cup.
