Shoaib Akhtar: ‘There is no way…’: Shoaib Akhtar makes bold prediction about India’s chances in World Cup | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Team India has taken the ongoing ODI World Cup by storm, securing a perfect record with five consecutive victories, including notable wins against cricket giants such as Australia, Pakistan, and New Zealand. After their recent triumph over New Zealand in Dharamsala, former Pakistani cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has made some intriguing remarks, suggesting that even without certain key players, the likes of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma possess the prowess to outclass the Kiwis in this World Cup.
Virat Kohli emerged as the hero in India’s successful chase, scoring a commendable 95 to lead his team to victory. Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” extolled Kohli’s ability to thrive under pressure, stating in his Youtube Channel, “He is someone who thrives under pressure. Pressure brings opportunities for him. And opportunities are scoring a hundred, playing match-winning knocks and getting followed on Instagram, and why not! This guy deserves it.”
Akhtar further demonstrated his confidence in India’s depth by declaring, “Shubman Gill is enough for this New Zealand team. Had Rohit Sharma not got out casually, he is enough. If KL Rahul goes up the order to 3 or 4, even he is enough. India’s batting lineup is very lengthy.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of other key players, saying, “Everyone knows what Kohli did today, but Rahul also took the load. Suryakumar had also done so had he not got out.”
In addition to the batting prowess on display, Shoaib Akhtar hailed the return of Mohammed Shami, who played his first match of the tournament and made a significant impact. Shami claimed five crucial wickets and was awarded the player of the match, with Akhtar remarking, “But in ensuring that New Zealand don’t score 300-350, Shami played a big role. He was a bit expensive, but it’s okay since he dismissed five batters. He has shown his talent, and India needs to persist with the same bowling attack.”

Akhtar concluded his assessment with a resounding vote of confidence in the Indian team, asserting, “They have a complete batting and bowling lineup. There is no way that India should not be winning the World Cup.”
As the Cricket World Cup 2023 unfolds, India’s emphatic start has fans and experts buzzing with anticipation.