Earlier this week, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq grabbed the headlines for a controversial remark as he questioned how Indian bowlers, especially left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, managed to reverse-swing the ball in the 16th over of Australia's innings during the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 in St Lucia.
Replying to a reporter's question about Inzamam's accusations, Indian skipper Rohit had said: "What should I say now about this? You are playing in such hot sun, the wicket is so dry, the ball reverses automatically. It's happening for all the teams, not only ours. All the teams are reverse-swinging. Sometimes, it's important to open your mind.”
"It's important to understand what conditions you're playing in. The match is not taking place in England or Australia."
Now, Inzamam has reacted to Rohit’s statement, asking the Indian captain to not teach him how and when the ball reverse-swings.
"Dimag to hum zarur apna khole lenge," Inzamam said while speaking on a Pakistan news channel, retorting to Rohit's 'open your mind' advice.
"First thing is that he (Rohit) has admitted that it's happening. So it means what we observed is correct. Second thing, Rohit Sharma ko humein batane ki zarurat nahi padni chahiye ke reverse swing kis tarah hota hai, kitni dhoop mei hota hai, kis pitch pe hota hai. Jo sikhane wale hain unko nahi yeh cheez sikhaya karte (there is no need for Rohit to tell us how reverse swing happens, under how much sun, on what pitch; you don't teach something to someone who actually taught it to the world)," said Inzamam. "Tell him it's not right to talk these things."
Inzamam went on to clarify that he never claimed that the Indian team is tampering with the ball. Instead, his intention was just to alert the umpires.
"The reporter asked the wrong question. I gave a suggestion to the umpires, to keep their eyes open because the ball is reverse-swinging in the 15th over. Still my advise to the umpires is the same, keep your eyes open as well as your mind. He (Rohit) just talked about mind, I am saying keep both eyes and mind open," he remarked.
Meanwhile, India outclassed England by 68 runs in the second semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday (June 27).
As a result, the Men in Blue maintained their unbeaten streak in the competition and set up a final date with South Africa, scheduled to be played in Barbados on Saturday (June 29).
