Dinesh Karthik believes that Shadab Khan was not consistent with his bowling against Rohit Sharma during the Super 4 clash between India and Pakistan at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. Karthik said that this was not the first time that Rohit Sharma defeated Shadab by attacking him. The experienced keeper-batsman said the leg spinner bowled too many loose balls and failed to offer a tough challenge.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik explained:
“He is a very good bowler, and by no means is he is somebody that Babar Azam is going to fret over, thinking, ‘Should I bowl him to Rohit Sharma?.’ But this is the second time Rohit Sharma is really taking him on. I have seen it in 2018 Asia Cup where he just took him to the cleaners, and this one being the second one. But also in between some good shot-making, some poor balls were bowled by Shadab Khan.”
In the 13th over of the Indian innings, Pakistan captain Babar Azam brought Shadab into the attack. However, his spell got off to a poor start and he conceded 19 runs. He also proved costly in his second over, in which 12 runs were scored.
“Not A Single Four Was Hit Off His Bowling Since He Took The First Wicket” – Dinesh Karthik On Shadab Khan’s Brilliant Comeback
After a bad start, Shadab Khan made a comeback by dismissing Rohit Sharma for 56 runs in the 17th over. The clever spinner was very agile after the success. Dinesh Karthik told how Shadab looked much better after the wicket, he did not allow KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to score fast runs. He added:
“I think it was just a bad start by Shadab Khan. He obviously wasn’t in good rhythm at the start. But you also saw what he can do when he picks up a wicket. He just put a stranglehold on KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. There wasn’t a boundary scored off his bowling from the moment he got that first wicket. He kept things tight.”
Notably, Shadab scored 45 runs in 6.1 overs on Sunday. India’s score was 147/2 in 24.1 overs before play was interrupted due to rain. The match is scheduled to resume on the reserve day (Monday).
