The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli had decided to come in to bat at number four and the move backfired as India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday. Virat usually bats at no.3 but came out to down the order to include KL Rahul in the batting order.

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticized India for their poor show on Tuesday while opined that the Indian skipper need to bat at his usual position. Talking on his Youtube channel, Shoiab said, “Kohli cannot come in the 28th over, period. He needs to bat earlier. India was smashed, battered, hammered by Australia.”

Akhtar further said that he was shocked by the result of the first ODI and termed the huge loss can be an apt wake-up call for the men in blue. 

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The bowling legend further added, “It was a big reality check for India. Australia made a mockery of the bowling attack. If Australia wins the toss again, the same sequence of events will follow. It will be embarrassing if India loses 0-3. India’s confidence was nowhere close to being the best. I’m finding it utterly shocking.”

India, after being asked to bat, were bundled out for 255 in the 50th over in the first ODI. During the chase of 256 runs, the Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch smashed unbeaten centuries to take the visitors home without losing any wickets.

Talking about the same, Shoaib said India needs to play aggressive cricket in order to make a comeback in the series. He said, “If India do not play ruthlessly, they will keep losing. I think they can still make a strong comeback, they have to. India can still take the series 2-1, but it will be a huge task.”

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The second ODI will be played in Rajkot on Friday while Bengaluru will host the third and final match on Sunday.