Ramiz Raja asks Pakistan to take a leaf out of Virat Kohli and Team India’s books
Raja said that the Indian captain's aggressive approach has helped the Men in Blue gain success.
The Pakistan team has been superlative at times, but the unit has also been inconsistent in all the three formats. In Test cricket, the side is languishing at seventh in ICC rankings for teams. Even in the ODI version of the game, the Men in Green haven’t put their best foot forward. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co recently won the last four games in the league stages of the 2019 edition of the World Cup.
But owing to the fact that they could only win one out of their first five matches meant that they couldn’t make the semis. Amidst the indifferent shows, the Pakistan players were recipients of brickbats and even abuses from the fans. In the meantime, Ramiz Raja, the country’s former cricketer, feels that the national team should learn from Virat Kohli and the Indian team.
They need a think tank that lets them play modern-day cricket, reckons Raja
He told how Kohli has infused the aggressive approach into the players because of which the team has done exceptionally at the highest level. “The sporting mindset has changed now. Now the teams are confrontational. Just look at Virat Kohli and co. They have completely revamped the Indian team with their aggression and fearless approach,” Raja was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.
“Pakistan also have to adopt a mindset that matches their DNA. They need a think tank that lets them play modern-day cricket. This difference becomes evident when Pakistan goes to World or Asia Cups or when in Test cricket they are pitted against a high-ranked side. There, the opposition plays attractive and entertaining cricket while it seems that we are still stuck in the 1970s,” he added.
Unlike Pakistan, India had a decent run in the mega event. Kohli’s men finished on top of the points table with seven victories. Their only defeat came at the hands of hosts England with one game versus New Zealand in Nottingham washed off due to rain.
Kohli has also been inspirational, having scored 68 tons in all forms of international cricket. The 30-year-old is now set to play the two-match Test series against the Windies. As far as Pakistan are concerned, they are busy bringing in changes in their coaching staff.
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