Asia Cup 2023: Indian batters are equipped to handle Pakistan’s pacers, says Robin Uthappa

Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa reckons Team India batters are equipped to handle Pakistan’s pacers. The Pakistan fast bowling dominated the Indian batters in the group stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup last Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Shaheen Shah Afridi had scalped four wickets in his quota of 10 overs whereas Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah had bagged three wickets apiece. In fact, India had found themselves in a pickle after they were reduced to 66-4 after Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer were all dismissed cheaply.

Meanwhile, the Indian batters have all the experience under their belt and it will be important for the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – to keep Pakistan’s pace battery at bay in the initial overs.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are regarded as the two best batters of all time in ODI format and they are going to hold the key for the team.

“They do have some really quick and very skillful fast bowlers and Shaheen Shah Afridi has been in some amazing form in the recent past as well. So is Haris Rauf. Having said that, I think we have the batters in our side who are equipped to handle all of that,” said Uthappa while speaking to JioCinema.

On the other hand, former Indian fast bowler RP Singh showered praise on Pakistan’s fast-bowling trio of Afridi, Rauf, and Shah, who have the skills to trouble the opposition with their extra yard of pace.

“You can say they have a slight upper hand in the fast bowling department because we have slight injury concerns as well. All three of their bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah – bowl close to 150 kph,” said RP Singh.

It is once again going to be a battle between India’s batting vs. Pakistan’s fast bowling. India will take on Pakistan in the Super Fours stage at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.