Former India opening batter Gautam Gambhir has said that he expected better from India’s batting unit against Sri Lanka in their Super-4 tie in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Former India opening batter Gautam Gambhir has said that he expected better from India’s batting unit against Sri Lanka in their Super-4 tie in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gambhir said whenever the ball grips, India batters struggle, insisting that this is now becoming a pattern. India were bowled out for 214 runs with spinners picking all 10 wickets.
“This is becoming a pattern. You remember that match against Australia in Chennai when the ball was gripping a bit and India were chasing some 260-odd runs against spinners like Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. And we couldn’t chase it. Whenever the ball grips, we struggle and we don’t even know whether we can take the game deep,” said Gambhir.
He went on to say that he expects better from Indian batters, adding that it was a wicket where 270 could have been posted. Rohit Sharma was the only Indian batter to hit a fifty against Sri Lanka as 20-year-old spinner Dunith Wellalage claimed his maiden five-wicket haul.
“This is not a 350-run wicket, it’s of 270. Imagine if in 40 overs you are three down for 160 or 170, then when the ball grips, it is very important for the batters to adjust. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s were soft dismissals, but the rest were beaten by the front foot. Rohit Sharma was beaten by pace, that was a brilliant ball to dismiss Gill. You expect better from Indian batters,” Gambhir added.
India held their nerve to defend 213 against Sri Lanka in their Super Fours match of Asia Cup 2023 on Tuesday, September 10 in Colombo to qualify for the final of the tournament. India reached their 10th final in the Asia Cup after having clinched victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours stages.
Kuldeep Yadav shone with 4 wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 172. Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage, who picked up 5 wickets and remained unbeaten on 42, won the Player of the Match award despite his team losing.
