'India is becoming a ruthless team' - Shoaib Akhtar after Virat Kohli and Co thrash New Zealand in 2nd T20I

Riding on a collective brilliance from the bowlers and another dominating performance by KL Rahul, India defeated New Zealand in the second Twenty-20 International (T20I) by seven wickets in the low-scoring encounter. With the victory at the Eden Park on Sunday, the visitors have gone 2-0 up in the three-match series.

The series-opener at the same venue, on the other hand, was a run-feast as more than 400 runs were scored in a total of 40 overs’ play. India had shown their versatility and won the high-scoring encounter with ease as well while chasing.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has praised team India and said that the Men in Blue are becoming a ruthless team who can win from any situation. Akhtar also suggested that considering India’s depth in the batting line-up, the opponent teams need to score big to have any chance of winning.

“India is dominating the world one-sided”: Shoaib Akhtar

“India is becoming a ruthless team as they once again proved it against New Zealand in the second T20I. If you (Kiwis) are being bowled out for such a modest total, how will you compete against a side like India which possesses a long batting line-up? Earlier, I had said that (Colin) Munro and (Martin) Guptill would have to score big, otherwise, it would be impossible to stop the onslaught of India,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

The fastest bowler in the world was also seen talking highly of the Indian pace attack comprising Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. He said the duo are injecting fears in the mind of the batsmen and the latter’s lives become tougher by the way the spinners come into play in the Indian attack.

“Have seen a new confidence from Bumrah and Shami as they have now started to create fear in the oppostion batsmen. Also, Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t let you score runs and bowls some odd spins which and tests the batsmen,” Akhtar said.

The Rawalpindi Express was also seen stressing on the fact that cricket as a global sport is losing its value as teams are not being able to put up with the few sides – especially India – who are dominating the game now.

“At present India is dominating the world one-sided. But what will happen to other teams? What will happen to world cricket?” he asked. When Australia dominated world cricket, at least India and Pakistan showed fight and tried to compete. However, what we are seeing in New Zealand is that the hosts have completely surrendered before India in the first t20 T20Is,” he added.

Opting to bat first in the second T20I, the Kane Williamson & Co. had failed to put up a commendable total on the board. The Indian bowlers made the lives of the Kiwi batsmen miserable at the middle. With 2/18 at an economy of 4.5, Ravindra Jadeja was the most successful bowler.

The pace-bowling duo of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah was also clinical with their performance as they bowled at a rate of 5.5 and 5.25 respectively.

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