World Cup 2019: Shoaib Akhtar praises India as one of the strongest ODI side; lauds KL Rahul

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar made a terrific job recently by correctly predicting his country’s win over England at Trent Bridge on Monday. In a video on his YouTube channel, the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ had made the prediction that Pakistan will win over England as the hosts will not be able to absorb the pressure. He had said it a week before the first ball of the World Cup was bowled and it became true as Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side beat Eoin Morgan by 14 runs after scoring 348 runs.

The 43-year-old Akhtar now has praised India as one of the strongest teams in the world ahead of their World Cup opener against South Africa at Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday. India is the last team to launch their campaign in the World Cup while the Proteas will be playing a must-win third game after losing their first two against England and Bangladesh.

Speaking in a pre-match analysis in a video on YouTube, the former Pakistan fast bowler said: “Personally, I think India is one of the strongest one-day sides in international cricket at the moment. India has a passionate leader in Virat Kohli, a strong bowling attack and a strong set of spinners too. India has formed that perfect equation in the last 2-3 years which is capable of beating any team in the world.”

Rahul will lead after Kohli era, feels Akhtar

Akhtar particularly praised Indian batsman KL Rahul saying the 27-year-old batsman possesses great potential and could go on and become the leader of the Indian side once the era of Virat Kohli ends. Rahul, who has had a poor run in international cricket between two successful Indian Premier League stints, scored a hundred against Bangladesh in a warm-up game in Cardiff last month. The fact that it came at the crucial No.4 position seemed to have reduced Team India’s concern over finding a permanent batter at that position.

Calling Rahul as his “personal favourite”, Akhtar said the former is capable of carrying the legacy of Kohli ahead and become one of the best batsmen in the world. He also said to have advised Rahul recently not to lose focus even if he gets dropped from the national team.