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'I’m Sure They Will...': Tim Southee Speaks on India's Woes Against Left-Armers

Vishal Mehra

image-llnbyvggShaheen Shah Afridi castles KL Rahul in T20 WC 2021 [Source: 'X']

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With as many as two major 50-overs competitions shortly - Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 - the Indian team faces the tough task of proving themselves on the global stage, having not won an ICC title since 2013.

One of the key weaknesses of Indian batters lately has been left-arm pacers, who have time and again wrecked a top-heavy line-up that boasts of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill.

Speaking during an awards function in Mumbai,  New Zealand stand-in captain Tim Southee opined about India's preparedness against bowlers such as Shaheen Afridi and Trent Boult. 

As quoted by PTI, Southee, who spends a lot of time in India playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stated that Indian batters are world-class players and will have a solid game plan against left-arm pacers. 

Here's what Southee said

"I don’t know what it is, but it was always handy to have a left-armer — something probably people don’t face a lot of. Those two guys that you mentioned, Shaheen Shah and Trent Boult, are quality bowlers and have caused a lot of players headaches over the years.

I do not think it is too much of an issue. I’m sure the Indian players — world-class players — will have solid game plans to whoever bowler they come up against,”

Afridi gained stardom after his magnificent showing against India in T20 World Cup 2021, where the left-armer rattled Sharma and Rahul first-up and then proceeded to claim Kohli's wicket as well, a trend that has followed these famed batters. 

India will face an in-form Afridi, along with Haris Rauf in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, when they lock horns against Pakistan on September 2 at Pallekele.