Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Source – Getty Images)
Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has raised concerns about the future of Indian cricket, particularly its batting lineup, once modern-day greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire. This comment comes after India’s 0-2 whitewash against Sri Lanka in their recent ODI series.
India’s loss to the island nation, their first ODI series defeat to them since 1997, has prompted experts and former players to criticize the team’s performance. Despite fielding most of their star players, barring all-rounder Hardik Pandya, India’s batting display was notably poor, with only skipper Sharma showing consistent form.
Ahmed, speaking expressed doubtfulness about the current crop of Indian batter’s ability to maintain the high standards set by Sharma and Kohli. The former pacer emphasized that the Men in Blue’s batting might face a decline compared to their bowling after the retirement of these two key players. Ahmed pointed out potential struggles on challenging pitches.
“All the new batters in this Indian team at the moment, barring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they cannot carry forward this batting lineup in the future,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“You see what happens to the Indian batting lineup from here on in the future. The bowling lineup might work it out but the batting lineup will find it difficult. They might score runs in their home conditions on flat pitches but on pitches where the ball turns seams and swings this batting lineup of India does not have the life to bat in those conditions,” he added.
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Pakistan will beat India hands down: Tanvir Ahmed
Furthermore, Tanvir Ahmed boldly claimed that without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan would comfortably defeat India. The recent series against Sri Lanka seems to have exposed vulnerabilities in India’s batting. In all three matches, the team struggled to chase down totals that, according to Ahmed, should have been comfortably within reach. The final ODI saw India suffer a humiliating 110-run defeat.
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“First, look into your own performances and then have suggestions on Pakistan. If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah do not play against Pakistan, Pakistan will beat India hands down,” Tanvir concluded.