Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has criticised Gautam Gambhir after India failed to win the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Friday (August 2). The first game of the three-match series ended in a draw as India failed to build on their strong position in the game.
Batting first, Sri Lanka finished their innings on a modest 230/8, with Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage scoring half-centuries for the hosts. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.
In reply, India were also bowled out for 230 runs and the game ended in a draw. Captain Rohit Sharma gave the Men in Blue a blistering start by scoring a fifty in 33 balls. He also shared a 75-run stand with Shubman Gill before Wellagage dismissed both of them in quick succession to reduce India to 80 for 2.
India were still ahead in the game and looked set for a comfortable win. However, the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel failed to take India home. In the 48th over, Dube hit a four to level the score.
With just one run needed and two wickets in hand, victory seemed a mere formality for the visitors. However, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka dismissed Dube and Arshdeep Singh on successive deliveries to bowl out India for 230 runs.
Basil Ali criticizes Gautam Gambhir:
As India failed to reach 231 runs even after a good start with the bat, Basit Ali criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to send all-rounder Washington Sundar at number four. With left-handed bowler Wellalage making things difficult for India’s right-handed batsmen, Sundar was promoted to number four to deal with the bowler.
However, the left-hander failed to justify the decision and was dismissed for 5 by Akila Dananjaya. Basit Ali said that even if Gautam Gambhir wanted a left-right combination, sending Sundar at number four was not a smart decision.
“He sent Sundar at number 4, which was a surprise for me. Was Gautam trying to play a left-right combination? I think sending Sundar at number 4 is pointless,” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
India will look to take an unassailable lead in the series by winning the second ODI, scheduled to be played on Sunday (August 2).
