‘You expect better from Indian batters’ - Gautam Gambhir analyses India’s batting against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup

Despite a good start, the Indian batters couldn’t capitalize on the momentum and eventually got bundled out for 213 runs against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup. Skipper Rohit Sharma gave a perfect start, hitting his third half-century on the trot but Dimuth Wellalage and Charith Asalanka wreaked havoc in the middle, which decimated the Men in Blue batters. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan tried to counter but eventually failed.

Analysing India’s batting, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir stated that he expects better from the cricketers. He believes that the team was approximately 50-60 runs short and such a margin can affect them going forward, especially in the ODI World Cup. He added that the batters are struggling in spin-friendly conditions and that’s a major concern at the moment. The Delhi-born cricketer also cited examples of India’s performance against Australia in Chennai earlier in the year and reminded that the batters have failed to get going whenever the spinners managed to grip the ball well.

“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 while talking to Star Sports.

Kohli and Rahul's were soft dismissals, but the rest were beaten by the front foot: Gambhir

Besides, the former Indian opener also talked about the technical adjustments which top order batters of Team India failed to display in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against Sri Lanka. He pointed out how Kohli and Rahul were beaten on the front foot. However, he called the deliveries of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's dismissals as a top-notch ball.

“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.

Meanwhile, India managed to defend 213 runs and won the match by 41 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was sensational in the middle, picking up four wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah picked up two each.