Indian bowlers surrendered against England openers in the T20 World Cup semi-final as India faced a humiliating 10-wicket defeat at Adelaide Oval on November 10. The lacklustre bowling display has left many unimpressed. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes that India did not deserve to meet Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 13.
Indian fast bowling ke paas express fast bowlers nahi hai. Cut-throat spinners nahi hain. Confusing selection ke saath India andar gaya, aur badi maar khaayi. Conditions ke fast bowlers hain India ke, jahan conditions mil gayi toh khelte rahenge. Lekin very disappointing performance from India. India doesn't deserve to meet us in MCG, or allowed to take a flight to come to Melbourne, because unki cricket aaj expose hui hai. (India don't have express fast bowlers or impactful spinners. They had a confusing selection. Their pacers can perform if conditions suit them.),” Akhtar said on his official Youtube channel.
“Semifinal tak pohochna kaunsi badi baat hai? 4 achhi teams hain total, unme se bhi Netherlands ko haraana ya Zimbabwe ko haraake pohoch jaana... koi badi baat nahi hai. Indian cricket is at the lowest right now because when it comes to ICC events, India ko apni kaptaani dekhni hogi, management ko blame lena hoga, bowling department me confusing selection ke saath Shami ko uthaake le aaye. Achhe fast bowler hain lekin banta nahi tha. (What's so big in reaching semis? There were 4 good teams in total. You beat Netherlands and Zimbabwe, nothing big. India need to look at their leadership, management needs to take accountability. It was a confusing selection),” he added.
England chased down the target of 169 with 24 balls to spare. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales shared a record-breaking partnership in T20 World Cup as they became the first team to chase down over 160 at the venue. Also, Buttler became the first captain to win a T20I at Adelaide Oval after winning the toss.
Indian bowlers did not produce enough chances and played in the hands of English openers. The team management decided to go ahead with Ravichandran Ashwin instead of wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Also out-of-form Axar Patel was included in the side over India’s touted death overs speciallist Harshal Patel.
