Former Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan has expressed criticism towards India’s bowling performance following their loss in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Khan pointed out that the Indian bowlers struggled throughout the series, fa?iling to contain the Sri Lankan batters effectively.

He highlighted issues such as inconsistency, lack of penetration, and inadequate strategies, which contributed to the team’s inability to halt Sri Lanka’s scoring and take crucial wickets. Khan’s criticism underscores the need for improvement in India’s bowling attack and strategic planning to address the weaknesses exposed during the series.

Junaid Khan lashes out at Men in Blue after ODI series loss against Sri Lanka

Indian batters struggled significantly against Sri Lankan spinners throughout the ODI series, failing to adapt to their bowling. In each of the three matches, the Indian team was dismissed by the spin bowlers, who effectively exploited the conditions and took crucial wickets. Despite the favourable conditions, Indian bowlers failed to capitalize. Khan criticized the Indian bowling attack, suggesting that it lacked strength and depth without the presence of Jasprit Bumrah.

According to Khan, Bumrah’s absence highlighted the bowling unit’s shortcomings, as they were unable to deliver the decisive breakthroughs needed to challenge the Sri Lankan batters. His remarks point to a perceived reliance on Bumrah’s exceptional skills and underscore concerns about the overall effectiveness and resilience of India’s bowling lineup.

“Would you agree? Without Bumrah, India’s bowling is zero,”  Khan tweeted.

Would you agree? Without Bumrah, india's bowling is zero… #INDvSL #SLVSIND

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) August 7, 2024

Also READ: 3 possible reasons behind Team Ind??ia’s ODI series loss against Sri Lanka

Reason behind India’s key pacer’s absence in the Sri Lanka tour    

Notably, Bumrah has been granted an extended break following his successful performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. As part of his recovery and rest period, Bumrah missed the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and was also sidelined for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. This break is intended to allow him time to recuperate and maintain his fitness, ensuring that he returns to full strength for future matches. His absence from these series reflects a strategic decision to manage his workload and avoid potential fatigue or injury, underscoring his importance to the Indian cricket team’s plans.

Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament in the recent concluded marquee event. He earned this accolade by taking 15 wickets throughout the tournament, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills and playing a crucial role in his team’s success. His outstanding performance with the ball was pivotal in securing his recognition as the top performer of the T20 World Cup.

Also READ: Angry fans roa?st India head coach Gautam Gambhir after ODI series defeat against Sri Lank?a

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The cricketing world has always been captivated by the debate surrounding the title of the greatest Indian batter. Recently, the conversation gained fresh momentum with Virat Kohli‘s sensational performances in the ODI World Cup 2023, where he surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar‘s record for most ODI hundreds as well as most runs in a single World Cup edition.

However, when asked to weigh in on the debate, Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan took an unexpected route by choosin??g neither Kohli nor Tendulkar as his pick for the greatest Indian batter. Instead, he threw the spotlight on another India stalwart, offering a unique perspective that has stirred up further discussion in the cricketing fraternity.

Junaid Khan’s unconventional pick for greatest Indian batter

Junaid Khan, a seasoned Pakistani cricketer with an impressive track record of 189 international wickets across formats, recently shared his views on the “Nadir Ali Podcast.” When faced with the classic dilemma of choosing between Sachin and Virat as the greatest Indian batter, Junaid veered off the beaten path and opted for Rohit Sharma.

Also READ: MS Dhoni adds another beast into his garage – Here’s all you need to know about Mahi’s new car

In his response, Junaid expressed admiration for Rohit’s phenomenal batting prowess, highlighting the array of shots that make him a standout player. Referring to Rohit as the “Hitman,” Junaid pointed to the Indian opener’s extraordinary achievements, including scoring 264 in an ODI, notching up three double centuries, and holding the record for the most sixes in the format.

“Who is the top of the line batter you think should be crowned as the greatest between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli?,” asked the interviewer.

“I personally think Rohit Sharma. The way Rohit bats is phenomenal. He has all sorts of shots, and that’s why we call him Hitman. To score 264 in an ODI game is not easy. He has three double centuries and has also smashed most sixes in the format. So for me, he is the best,” answered Junaid.

Rohit Sharma’s impressive records

Known for his elegant stroke play and ability to accelerate innings, Rohit has indeed carved a niche for himself in international cricket. His three double centuries in ODIs and the record-breaking 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 showcase his dominance in the limited-overs format. Additionally, Rohit’s prowess in T20I cricket, where he holds the record for joint most hundred with four tons, adds to his credentials as a versatile and impactful batsman.

Also READ: Australia spinner Nathan Lyon names the ‘No. 1 pl??ayer�in Pakistan team

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Shaheen Afridi, the newly discovered Pakistani talent, is making all the buzz for his adaptability in leading ??the pace attack of his nation across all formats. But as is seen with fast bowlers, Shaheen is also prone to injuries considering the workload he has been handling in all these years.

Earlier, former Pakistan cricketer Aquib Javed had compared the left-arm speedster to India’s Jaspreet Bumrah and opined that Shaheen is better than his Indian counterpart ?with the new ball.

However, Javed had added that if the labour input of the 21-year-old is not ?managed, then the youngster might face fitness issues in future.

Chief selector Mohammed Wasim had also asked Shaheen to rest during the home series against South Africa, but the Lahore-Qalandar player had other plans.

R??ecently, the left-arm pacer Junaid Khan r??evealed that his countryman is afraid of losing his place in the national team when rested.

“Shaheen definitely needs rest. The management needs to make sure he doesn’t bowl a lot during the net sessions. Shaheen probably doesn’t want to rest himself because he might have fear of losing his place to a youngster, who might perform in his place. He must be thinking they might drop him from one format if he doesn’t perform in few matches,” Junaid told Cricket Pakistan.

Validating Shaheen’s contingency, the 31-year-old further added that Pakistan Cricket rarely gives another chance to any player. A newcomer with his few decent performances can easily occupy the spot of a veteran, who had once performed well for the side.

“In our culture, even if a player performs for six years and then doesn’t do well in two games, he is replaced by a new player who has done well in only few games. Everyone forgets that player’s performances for last six years and instead prefers younger talent. So our players are insecure about losing their place,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shaheen brought laurels t??o his country when he picked four wickets in the first innings of the inaugural Test match of the Pakis?tan tour of Zimbabwe, helping the visitors in winning the game by an innings and 116 runs.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The?? last time an Indo-Pak series took place was back in 2012 when Pakistan had toured India for a two-match T20I leg and a three-match ODI series.

Left-arm pacer Junaid Khan dismissed Virat Kohli in all the?? three ODIs. Junaid bowled 24 balls to Kohli, allowing the batsman to score just three runs off him. Kohli managed to score just 13 runs in the series, scoring a duck in Chennai, followed by six and seven in Kolkata and Delhi as Pakistan beat India 2-1.

“The first ball I bowled to him was a wide but the next ball when I beat him, I thought ‘well, he’s just a normal batsman’. Virat jokingly told me ahead of the series that these are Indian pitches and that balls won’t move much here. I said ‘we’ll see, because I have plenty of momentum with me as well,” Junaid said on the Cricingif show for their YouTube channel.

After a fantastic performance in the ODI series, Junaid went on to cement his place in the Pakistan side across all three formats and was a mainstay in the playing eleven for ??the next few years.

“Before that tour, I was playing domestic cricket in Faisalabad. I had bowled around 35-40 overs in each match so I had developed momentum heading into the series,” Junaid said.

“I was making a comeback in the ODIs and when we were heading to India, I knew in my mind that this is my only chance to stage a strong comeback into the team. Secondly, I knew if I would perform well in India, I would need to take wickets.”

Kohli, along with Babar Azam, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane ??Williamson, is one of the best batters in the cricketing world, but for Junaid, the India captain is the best batsman across formats. Kohli is the only batsman to average more than 50 in all three formats of the game, with a staggering 59.3?? in ODIs.

“No doubt Kohli is the best batsman in all three formats. If you ask anyone, they’d say that guys like Babar Azam, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith are the best batsmen of the generation, but the best of the lot is Kohli because he’s performed outstandingly in all three formats,” Junaid added.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

India will take on their arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC Champions ??Trophy 2017 on June 4th.

Certain??ly, the players are ??all pumped up for the thrilling encounter and the war of words has begun.

Pakistani speedster Junaid Khan has initiated a very subtle dig at Virat Kohli and h?as expressed confidence in ??his ability to restrict the Indian captain in the upcoming ICC tournament citing his previous record against the batsman.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Junaid said, “I have dismissed him in three out of the four matches we have faced each other. He is a brilliant batsman but he has failed against me.”

“When I face him, I will consider him the same Kohli. I may be wrong but I think he will also think of me as the same Junaid that has taken his wicket before, which might make him go on the defensive a bit more and therefore lose his wicket,” said Khan.

He further added that he has ??bowled to Kohli in front of the Indian crowd before and hence bowling in England will not be a big challenge. He is keen on viewing Kohli as the same batsman and is hopeful to be getting ahead with the psychological advantage over him.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.