Pakistan’s legendary fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes that Indian team lacks bowlers who can run down an opposition.
The 40-year-old said that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the only wicket-taking bowler in the whole line up.
“There is no depth in the bowling attack,” said Akhtar.
“Once Ashwin bowls his quota of four overs, there isn’t anyone who could run through opposition batsmen. They don’t even have the fast-bowlers to run through the batting line-up. Indian team’s drawback is fast bowling and the second spinner,” said Akhtar.
“With Mohammed Shami unfit and Umesh Yadav not selected, they didn’t have any inspiration. The Indian team I believe needs to change their approach towards how they play T20 cricket and Dhoni should check the combinations that he is trying out. Ajinkya Rahane should play instead of Ambati Rayudu.”
Akhtar further said that India should have played three spinners in the ODIs to save themselves a chance of victory.
“I believe they could have altered the timing of the matches which would have suited them and perhaps the result could have been different. I believe if they play three spinners during ODIs which is their strength, they would win the ODI series,” said Akhtar.
The former express-paced bowler also criticised crowd’s behaviour in Cuttack.
“I can understand the anger amongst fans and I am not saying that it is not justified when your team plays that badly. But throwing bottles is no way to vent your anger. Indian cricket has an image and these kind of incidents send a very wrong message to the cricket community,” he concluded.