Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has taken pot shots at Indian opening duo Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for failing to take the team off to a solid start against Pakistan at MCG on Sunday.

The Rawalpindi Express felt both were found to be under pressure during their ICCT20 opener.

Shoaib who hardly minces words also hinted captaincy could be telling on Rohit and he needs to regain his composure.

"India openers ki baat karenge, thore dabe lag rahe hai, thode dare-dare lag rahe hai. Rohit Sharma as a captain apne aap ko calm down kare, apni batting gawa raha hai aur KL Rahul jyada focus karke khudko fasa raha hai, wo na kare (India's openers are looking intimidated and scared. Rohit needs to calm down as a captain, his batting is bearing the brunt of it. KL Rahul is getting trapped because of his extra focused approach, he shouldn't do so)," said Akhtar on his YouTube channel.

Both Rohit and Rahul have been on and off of late putting pressure on the middle order.

On Sunday both were dismissed cheaply putting India in dire straits. It was only left to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya to see the team through with 4 wickets in hand.

Kohli's heroics with the bat were also an answer to his critics who had been after his blood over 'non-performance.'

Speaking after the match, the Delhi boy said it felt surreal while commenting on his match-winning knock.

Pakistani skipper Babar Azam on the other hand, heaped praises on the former Indian skipper, stating he showed his class on Sunday.

India's next encounter is with Netherlands on Thursday.