(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India got off to a dominating start against Pakistan in the Super Four match of the 2023 Asia Cup. India, who came well-prepared this time, flawlessly tackled Pakistan’s pace bowling in a fearless manner. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the stage for the upcoming batters, forming an opening partnership of 121 runs.
India had struggled against Pakistan’s bowling in the group stage fixture held at Pallekele but made a mockery of the same lineup this time as both openers played with positive intent.
Rohit scored 56 runs off 49 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. Shadab Khan dismissed him.
Just after completing his 50th fifty in ODI cricket, Rohit threw away his wicket, which left former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir furious. While talking on Star Sports, Gambhir discussed the dismissal, saying, “I feel he will be extremely disappointed. The way Rohit Sharma got out, it was an extremely bad shot. He himself knows that the shot deserves to be criticized because Pakistan was down and out at that stage.”
Gambhir mentioned that India had a strong chance of scoring around 370-375 runs in the match but lost key wickets due to poor shot choices. He also emphasized that in such a high-pressure game, it was unwise to take unnecessary risks, especially against a bowler against whom they had already scored 30 runs in two overs.
“At one point, it seemed India might score 370-375. Rohit Sharma played a bad shot, and Shubman Gill got out in the very next over. You don’t want to give even the slightest window to a bowling attack like Pakistan. You gave a window and you played that shot against the bowler you had hit for 30 runs in two overs. If it had been a bowler who had been bowling well, it would have been alright as you were under pressure. If you had just stood there, he would have given you one or two bad balls every over,” he added.
Eventually, India finished at 356 runs in their 50 overs, courtesy Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s centuries.