(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir bashed Indian batters for their regular struggle versus spinners.
India’s poor show in the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Sri Lanka saw them getting bowled out for 213 runs. Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage skittled the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, ending with the figures of 5-40 in his 10 overs.
Charith Asalanka bagged a four-for, while Maheesh Theekshana took the remaining one wicket as all 10 of the Indian batters got dismissed to spinners.
Speaking on India’s struggle versus the spinners, Gambhir explained how it has become a pattern. He cited the example of Chennai fixture of the previous India-Australia ODI series, where Rohit Sharma and Co. lost by 21 runs. In that fixture, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar claimed four and two scalps respectively.
“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,,” Gambhir said as quoted to Star Sports.
“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,” he added.
Notably, even though Sri Lanka spinners wreaked havoc, they failed to chase down the total, losing by 41 runs.