The way Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill batted vs Shaheen Afridi, will worry Pakistan ahead of WC: Dinesh Karthik

Indian openers were too defensive in their first meeting against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023. However, the ploy didn't work as Rohit Sharma departed for a 22-ball 11 and his opening partner, Shubman Gill was dismissed for 10 runs after facing 32 balls.

On Sunday, September 10, after Babar Azam won the toss and invited India to bat first in a Super Four fixture in Colombo, Rohit and Shubman adopted a counterattacking approach and unsettled the potent Pakistani pace attack. The Punjab batter got out of the blocks quicker than Rohit, but the Indian captain joined in on the act after facing a few balls. Inside 17 overs, the duo stitched a partnership of 121 to rattle Babar's men. Dinesh Karthik lauded the aggressive style of the Indian openers and reckoned that it would put pressure on Pakistan.

"The way Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batted vs Shaheen Afridi, will worry Pakistan. I think the conditions suited fast bowling at the start of the innings, but India called the shots," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Dinesh Karthik praises Shaheen Afridi's slower ball

After the fantastic start from the 'Men in Blue', Pakistan clawed back by dismissing the two openers. Rohit fell to a half-hearted shot as he holed out to long-off off the bowling of Shadab Khan. Shubman, on the other hand, was outfoxed by a slower delivery from Shaheen Afridi. In the previous clash between the Asian giants, the left-arm pacer had dismissed a set Hardik Pandya with a slower one. Karthik hailed Shaheen's variation and explained why his slower delivery is difficult to pick.

"It becomes tough as a batter to pick Shaheen Afridi's slower delivery because of his wrist flick. Second time Shaheen Shah Afridi has deceived an Indian batter," Karthik further added.

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will resume the innings for India from 147/2 in 24.1 overs on Monday. Fans will be hoping that the weather holds good as the match seems to be intriguingly poised.

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