"It has been a problem" - Aakash Chopra on India's issues against Fazalhaq Farooqi in 2024 T20 World Cup clash vs Afghanistan

Aakash Chopra has noted that Fazalhaq Farooqi exposed India's issues against left-arm pace in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash with Afghanistan. The tournament's highest wicket-taker registered figures of 3-33 in four overs to put the Men in Blue on the back foot.

Despite Farooqi's potent spell, India posted 181-8 after opting to bat first in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday, June 20. The Indian bowlers then bundled Afghanistan out for 134 to help their side register a comprehensive 47-run win.

Reflecting on India's batting in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra observed that they were once again found wanting against left-arm pace.

"India batted first after winning the toss. We had discussed this as well that there is an advantage here if you bat first.

"Teams batting first are winning and India also showed that by doing it. However, they stumbled a little. It has been a problem. We are struggling a little against left-arm pace," he said (1:15).

While noting that Rohit Sharma (8 off 13) fell prey to Farooqi, the former India opener added that Virat Kohli was dismissed for a run-a-ball 24.

"Rohit Sharma was trying but he got out. He hit the ball straight up in the air and got out. The bowler's name was Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mohammad Nabi was bowling from the other end, and India were kept on a tight leash.

"Virat Kohli remained quiet for a long time. Then he hit a good six, reached 24, but then he also got out," Chopra observed.

Chopra pointed out that India were in trouble when Rashid Khan dismissed the aggressive Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube.

"Everyone was saying that the wicket was slightly difficult for batting, the ball was sticking a little, but Rishabh Pant said that the pitch seemed road-like to him.

"However, when he got out to Rashid Khan's bowling, we stumbled a little. Then when Shivam Dube got out, four wickets had fallen, and you knew you had to play a lot of balls, things seemed to be stumbling," he stated.

While Pant scored 20 off 11, Dube managed a seven-ball 10. Rashid trapped both left-handers leg-before-wicket to reduce India to 90-4.

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"He played incredibly well" - Aakash Chopra lauds Suryakumar Yadav's knock

Suryakumar Yadav smashed 53 runs off 28 balls. [P/C: BCCI/X]

Aakash Chopra lauded Suryakumar Yadav for bailing India out of trouble.

"The train was trying to run very fast but the chain was pulled and the train was stopped. However, Suryakumar Yadav came there.

"Everyone dreams of playing an extended innings, which wasn't fulfilled in New York. He played a good knock there as well, but here he played incredibly well," he said (2:30).

The cricketer-turned-commentator particularly appreciated the middle-order batter's game against Rashid Khan.

"No one plays Rashid Khan better than him. He doesn't get out to him at all. He keeps playing sweeps and Rashid, for some strange reason, has no answer.

"The pitch seemed slightly difficult, but when Surya started playing, Afghanistan were singed in his heat," Chopra elaborated.

Chopra also praised Hardik Pandya for playing a valuable knock. The seam-bowling all-rounder scored 32 off 24 and added 60 for the fifth wicket with Suryakumar.