Indian cricket team started as the pre-tournament favorites for the T20 World Cup 2021, and their campaign was expected to last at least till the semi-finals. But the Virat Kohli-led side got knocked out in the group stage.

A loss in their opening match against Pakistan, and then versus New Zealand in the next match had left Team India dependent on other team's results for their qualification.

They went on to win their next three matches convincingly against Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia, but it wasn't enough after the Kiwis won four matches.

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Pakistan's great Wasim Akram spoke on India's outing in the T20 World Cup 2021, which concluded in November. He said that the team could never recover after the over of Shaheen Afridi.

"They were the favorites to win the World Cup. And I suppose after the first game… after especially Shaheen Afridi's first over, they never could recover. Then you see, there were a lot of talks about they concentrate on the IPL a lot more," Akram said in a video uploaded by Sport360.

"Their players don't play against international players as much in the other league. And probably they were right at times because very few have faced – Pakistan and India have hardly played cricket – very few have faced Shaheen, Haris Rauf, or Hasan Ali," he added.

Akram pointed out that the Indian cricketers not participating in the T20 leagues around the world is turning into a barrier for their growth. "When you play leagues in different countries – one or two, I’m not saying play every league – at least your players get the experience to play against the other bowlers, different pitches, different teams, different conditions," said Akram. 

"So I think they (India) have to think back… IPL is the number 1 league, yes, money-wise, talent-wise but they have to allow the players at least one or two more leagues worldwide." 

(With Sport360 Inputs)