Ex Pakistan Skipper Salman Butt: “Lack of Fitness and Pace are India’s two biggest problems.”
The Indian men’s cricket squad is in poor shape, as seen by their performance in the first Twenty20 International against Australia on Tuesday in Mohali. Just days after their humiliating departure from the Asia Cup with back-to-back losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the Indian side failed to defend a 200-run target, handing Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Former Pakistani batsman Salman Butt, commenting on India’s performance in the first T20I against Australia, noted the lack of fitness among Indian players, which will become a serious concern moving ahead.
Butt contrasted Indian players to their Australian, English, and South African counterparts, stating that despite being the highest-paid cricketers in the world, they are not the fittest.
“Indian cricketers are the highest-paid in the world. They compete in the most matches. Tell me why they aren’t the fittest. When comparing body structures, teams like as South Africa, Australia, and England do substantially better. Some Asian teams may even be ahead of India. Some of the Indian players are obese. I believe they should improve on this since they are excellent cricketers,” Butt stated this in a video posted on his YouTube account.
The 37-year-old also added: “I’m not sure whether others will mention it, but Team India’s fitness is not perfect in my opinion. Apart from Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, fitness is not their strong suit. Some crucial and exceptional players are not outstanding on the field.”
Butt was quite critical of the fitness of Indian players, naming Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Rishabh as players who he believes need to improve their performance on the field and their fitness.
India’s shoddy fielding in the first T20I ultimately cost them the game, as Australia set a new record chase against the hosts in Mohali. Australia cruised through the goal of 209 runs with four balls to spare, thanks to opener Cameron Greens’ stunning 61 off 30 balls and Matthew Wade’s contribution of 21off 45 balls.
The sides will meet again on Friday in Nagpur for the second Twenty20 encounter.
