Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s MASTERPLAN to tackle Shaheen Afridi in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 REVEALED

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are exercising caution when facing Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi as India prepares to start their 2025 Champions Trophy journey.

New Delhi: The most recent encounter between India and Pakistan in an ICC tournament at the Dubai International Stadium was significant, marking Pakistan’s first World Cup victory over India in 29 years. In the 2021 T20 World Cup Group stage, Pakistan won decisively by 10 wickets. Since then, India has triumphed over Pakistan in three additional World Cup matches. However, the prospect of these two teams facing off again, particularly in the UAE, still causes anxiety among Indian fans.

To avoid any issues against Pakistan, the Indian think tank is taking precautions. Shaheen Afridi has posed challenges for the Indian team, so Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have brought in a left-arm pacer from the UAE to prepare. Four years ago in Dubai, Shaheen dismissed Rohit for a golden duck, KL Rahul for one run, and Kohli for 57 runs. In the 2023 Asia Cup, Shaheen also performed well, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs, although that match ended in a draw.

India is aiming to stay one step ahead of their rivals as they prepare for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy match on Sunday. To aid in their preparation, they are utilizing the skills of a domestic bowler who has ties to Pakistan.

“My name is Awais Ahmad and I am a domestic UAE cricketer who bowls left-arm fast. I played for 7 District in the UAE. I have played for three seasons. I have a connection with Pakistan. I belong from the same district at Naseem Shah – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our coach received an SMS that they need a left-arm fast bowler and he told me that I have to bowl to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I am very excited about it,” he told SportsYaari.

“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma only informed because they will be up against Shaheen Afridi on Sunday. I can bowl both – in swing and out swing – and hopefully I will be able to try and get them out. Either LBW or bowled. They are players who have achieved everything, they operate at a different level. We are nothing in front of them.”

India’s Champions Trophy journey bears striking resemblances to their experience in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In both tournaments, India found themselves in a group alongside Pakistan and New Zealand, and early losses to both teams nearly led to their elimination. This marked the first occasion since the 2012 World Cup that India did not advance to the semi-finals of an ICC event.

India and Pakistan have faced each other five times recently, with Rohit Sharma’s team holding a 4-1 advantage. Although Jasprit Bumrah is not in the lineup, India is considered the favorite following their recent 3-0 victory over England at home. However, Pakistan, which was the runner-up in the tri-series, should not be overlooked.