Sunil Gavaskar defends India’s top order following a disappointing performance against Pakistan. After 14.1 overs, India reduce to 66/4.
India’s top order struggles against a left-arm seamer persisted during Saturday’s Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. The Indian top order was brought to its knees by Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, who hunted in packs to leave them reeling at 64/4 after 14.1 overs.
Star hitters Rohit Sharma (11 off 22), Virat Kohli (4 off 7) and Shubman Gill (10 off 32) were all out bowled by the moving ball. Despite their terrible performances, veteran India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar supported the Indian batting stars, saying it’s all part of the game.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about. You examine their track records. Virat Kohli has score over 11000 runs, Rohit Sharma has scored over 9000 runs. Shubman Gill has showed glimps of what he is capable of. We don’t need to be concern if, even if big players like Virat and Rohit fail. We have a responsible No.5 and No.6 who can take us to 260-odd. These things happen in cricket. There will be days when the bowlers are simply too excellent. ” Gavaskar explained to Sports Tak.
Notably, Afridi tormented the Indian top order once again. First setting up Rohit Sharma in the fifth over of the game with a few of outswingers. He then reintroduced one, which crashed into his stumps. Afridi got Kohli to chop one back onto his stumps in the next over after he push at one delivery outside off stump with his feet going nowhere. With a performance of 4/35 in ten overs in the postponed match, the 23-year-old was Pakistan’s pick of the bowlers.
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India has a long history of dealing with left-handed seamers
Left-arm seamers have a long history of troubling the famed Indian batting duo of Kohli and Rohit. Including Mitchell Johnson in the World Cup 2015 semi-final, Mohammed Amir in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Trent Boult in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, and Shaheen Afridi in the T20 World Cup 2021.
The senior pros are the backbone of the Indian batting team, and their early dismissals have repeatedly caused to India’s defeat in knockout stages in recent years. With the World Cup 2023 only a month away, both hitters will be eager to work on their weaknesses as soon as possible.
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