Ravi Shastri wants Indian batsmen to show respect to Pakistan bowlers ahead of the clash on Sunday

India have predominantly produced great batsmen over the years whereas it has been opposite for Pakistan. The country has been successful in unearthing a number of quality fast bowlers in the last four decades. Whenever these two are pitted against each other, it has always been a competition between the Indian batters and the Pakistani bowlers and it wouldn’t be any different on Sunday’s marquee clash between both sides.

India has quality batsmen on their side: Kohli, Dhawan, Rohit, Yuvraj and Dhoni. On the other hand, Pakistan, have quality paceman in their side in Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Amir. Former Director of Indian cricket Ravi Shastri opined that India batsmen must be wary of Pakistani bowlers and must show respect to them early on.

“Whenever India play Pakistan, it is always a contest between their bowlers and our batsmen. This time too, it will be the same. Pakistan’s batting is inexperienced and they rely only on their bowlers to win the match,” Shastri told India TV.

Pakistan bowlers can move the ball both ways

Shastri said that Riaz, Junaid and Amir are three bowlers who can move the ball both ways at pace and the Indians must counter them prudently.

“Pakistan have a good fast bowling attack in Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Amir and Junaid Khan. All these pacers can bowl at a good speed and can make the ball move. To counter them, the key for the Indian batsmen will be to settle down first and then score. Showing respect to the opposition bowlers is also important,” he said.

Pleasing to see Dhawan get runs

Shikhar Dhawan who made it to the squad of 15 has shown form early in the competition. The stylish left-hander made a patient 40 against New Zealand in India’s first warm-up game on Sunday and then followed it up with an enterprising 60 against Bangladesh in the second warm-up game on Tuesday. Shastri is impressed by Dhawan’s current form and said he will be the key for India at the top of the order.

“I felt good how Shikhar played in the warm-up games. He also spent some time in the middle. He is a very important player for the team. When I was the Team Director, I used to have a lot of faith in Shikhar’s game. He is an aggressive player, he has confidence and you should also encourage such players. He is a left-hander and in England, the right and left combination will be important,” he said.

It was the same competition 4 years ago when Dhawan announced himself at the big stage scoring back-to-back hundreds in his first two games after returning to the side after a gap of 3 years. His contributions led India to a victory as the Delhi boy ended with the golden bat for scoring most runs in the competition.

India is set to face Pakistan on Sunday at Edgbaston. It is the same ground where the two teams played each in 2013, where India strode to a relatively easy win.