‘That was a nothing shot’ - Gautam Gambhir lambasts Virat Kohli’s shot selection against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 fixture

Match 3 of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 featured a clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Kandy, on Saturday, September 2. Team India came in to bat first, and the side got off to a horrid start to the game as the top order failed to make an impact. Skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 11 runs in 22 deliveries, whereas ace batter Virat Kohli only managed to score four runs off seven deliveries before he was sent back to the pavilion by Shaheen Afridi.

Apart from the top order's failure, Kohli’s shot selection garnered major traction as well. Trying to poke a short-off outside delivery, Kohli got played on as the ball hit the stumps, and the veteran batter was dismissed. Reflecting on the same, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir took centre stage and lambasted Kohli’s shot selection that led to his dismissal. Gambhir stated that it was a nothing-shot and had no thinking behind it.

"That was a nothing shot, neither forward, neither back. I think was a bit casual. That is what you get when you play someone like Shaheen Afridi. You do not know whether to go forward or back," Gambhir said during a conversation on Star Sports. 

Kohli was a touch unlucky: Waqar Younis

Furthermore, the former Pakistan pacer, Waqar Younis, also shared his views regarding Kohli’s dismissal in match 3 of the Asia Cup 2023. Younis opined that the ace Indian batter was just a tad bit unfortunate.

"Kohli was a touch unlucky. Inside edge, the ball did not come on to the bat and maybe even kept a bit low. But credit to Shaheen Shah Afridi for altering his length," Younis stated.

Speaking of the game, the Indian middle order stabilised the innings for the side after the horrid start. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya played stellar knocks. However, as rain played spoilsport, the match was abandoned, and both teams ended up sharing points.