T20 World Cup 2022: Rohit Sharma gears up for Shaheen Afridi challenge with specific net session

While the fans continue with their prayers to the rain gods in Australia, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is gearing up for his titanic battle against Pakistan's fast-bowling sensation Shaheen Afridi. The duo is set to come face to face when India renews their intense rivalry against Pakistan in front of a packed MCG on the 23rd of October. The Indian skipper was seen adopting a distinct technique against throw-downs by a left-armer during the optional practice session in Melbourne.

India's titular clash against arch-rivals Pakistan has been surrounded by doubt amidst heavy rainfall forecasted for the day. But the Indian skipper is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to rectify his weakness against left-arm seamers, especially at the start of his innings. The flamboyant opener fell to Shaheen Afridi's vicious delivery in last year's epic clash.

Rohit Sharma, who is renowned for his flat-batted strokes, refrained from any horizontal shots and tried to play in the 'V' as much as possible while facing throwdowns from a left-armer during India's optional practice session at the MCG. Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck by Afridi in their last meeting in the tournament in 2021.

I had observed that Rohit Sharma struggles against the inswing, at that yorker length: Shaheen Afridi

Meanwhile, Afridi, who missed Pakistan's Asia Cup campaign due to a knee injury, looked at his menacing best during his side's warm-up game against Afghanistan. The Pakistani star had commented on devising the Indian skipper's dismissal at the Dubai International Stadium last year.

“I had observed that Rohit Sharma struggles against the inswing, at that yorker length. In 2021, most of my dismissals were with that length. So I thought to myself, if that's my strength why not use it against him in the first ball that bowl to him,” Afridi told ESPNCricinfo earlier this week.

While Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Rishabh Pant gave the training session a miss, veteran batter Dinesh Karthik and Deepak Hooda accompanied Rohit at the MCG, preparing for their opening fixture of the T20 World Cup.