India and Pakistan have been talent power houses since decades.Rohit Sharma and Umar Akmal are two more class acts from the subcontinent.Umar Akmal might be slightly new to the stage,but is as impressive as the Indian batsmen.Both are fearless and most definitely future of their respective countries.
Rohit Sharma got noticed in U-19 WC in 2006,where his timing and ability to find gapes came into limelight for the first time.He also did well in T20 competition in Mumbai and got selected in 2007 World T20 squad.He did really well in the few chances he got in the WC and was an integral part of WC winning team.Since then,he has come a long way with some great performances under pressure for India as well as his IPL team.He was U-23 Player of the Tournament in IPL 2,when his team went on to win the IPL.He has become a regular in the India T20 and ODI squads,however,hasn't sealed his place in the Test squad.I am sure once legends like Rahul Dravid,VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar retire in maybe another 2 years,he will become a regular in test squad as well.Even when other Indian batsmen were troubled by the short ball in the 2010 T20 WC,Rohit wasn't as he went on to smash an amazing knock of 76 against the Australian pace trio of Dirk Nannes,Mitchell Jonhson and Shaun Tait.
Umar Akmal has had a similar entry in international Cricket,as he also got noticed in U-19 WC of 2008.After making tons of runs for Pakistan U-19 as well as Pakistan A,just like Sharma and got his call-up for Pakistan squad.He was very impressive in pressure situations in tests against New Zealand as well as Australia.In T20 WC 2010,he smashed around the Australian pace trio fearlessly and made sure his team reached a mammoth 191 in the Semi-final.Though it wasn't enough to stop the Aussies,but his knock was breath-taking.Being younger brother of Pakistan's keeper Kamran Akmal sure helps,as he gets great support and advice from his elder brother.I frankly believe he is far better a batsmen than Kamran.Even in the recently concluded two match T20 series against Australia,he showed his talent by setting up a win in the first T20.The amount of hunger and determination he has shown at the young age of 19 is incredible.
Both Rohit and Umar,not only have a lot of talent,but also tremendous temperament as they keep performing in pressure games.Rohit,unlike Umar hasn't got his chances in Test cricket,but that will happen sooner than later.
I am really happy to read this blog. Indeed I have hopes for both these youngsters. I do believe Umar Akmal has already become a finished product at age of 20. Rohit Sharma has been showing maturity in the recent past but whether he can become a permanent fixture is a question. I really hope he can be a permanent player....
ReplyDeleteYes Srujan,they both aren't finished products,but both have shown qualities which are required to survive in interenational cricket,which are temperament,hunger and determination,so lets hope they entertain thousands of people around the world.
ReplyDeletewhat happened to your dream when u were at tender age of 10......
ReplyDeleteWell,I realised I probably wasn't good enough to play for the country or even Delhi for that matter.But the love for the game is still there,in fact,getting stronger.
ReplyDelete