Former India player hails Rohit Sharma's captaincy against Pakistan

Axar Patel (Source: AP)

Former Indian pacer Madan Lal has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma for his captaincy decisions against Pakistan on Sunday.

India picked up a four-wicket win over their arch-rivals during the T20 World Cup 2022 opener at the Melbourne cricket ground on Sunday. 

Pakistan managed to set a target of 160 batting first and India got over the line in the final ball of the innings thanks to a remarkable knock from Virat Kohli.

When Pakistan were batting, Rohit Sharma decided to allow Axar Patel to bowl an over. However, things did not go according to plan and Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed smashed three sixes in what turned out to be an ultra-expensive over, amounting to a total of 21 runs.

Rohit Sharma quickly realised that it was not the spinner's day and he chose not to bowl him again in the match. Madan Lal believes (h/t India Today) that the Indian captain's decision to take Axar Patel out of the firing line and rely on a more experienced spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin paid dividends for India eventually.

Axar Patel was looking out of confidence and he could have easily conceded more valuable runs to Pakistan. The Indian captain took a difficult call at the time and his bravery paid off.

"I think Rohit not bowling Axar Patel after his expensive over was the highest point (of his captaincy in the match). He looked toward his more experienced spin bowler in Ashwin. He bowled Ashwin three as too many runs were conceded at that point. I believe it was the highest point of his captaincy today."

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