Former Indian wicket-keeper Saba Karim questioned Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and felt he gave Shubman Gill an over at the wrong time against Sri Lanka in the first ODI. The opening ODI of the series was tied after both teams scored 230 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Friday.
Gill conceded 14 runs in the solitary over he bowled and that over tilted the over in Sri Lanka’s favor. Gill was given the 32nd over by Rohit Sharma but he conceded a six against Janith Liyanage and a boundary against Dunith Wellalage, who scored an unbeaten knock of 67 runs off just 65 balls.
Speaking to Sony Sports, Saba Karim said, “The thinking was the same as Asalanka introducing himself in the attack for Sri Lanka or what India tried in T20Is with Suryakumar Yadav giving the responsibility to Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh and even himself to bowl. But again, this was the first time Gill was bowling in international cricket, and his over turned out to be quite expensive and Sri Lanka, subsequently grabbed the momentum.”
Karim reckons India needed an extra spinner on that track and Rohit could have used Shivam Dube for a few more overs.
“India needed an extra spin option on this ground, given the conditions. Maybe India could have gone with Dube for a few more overs, and since they did not go that way, Gill was tried, and it did not prove to be the right decision,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja concurred with Saba Karim and said that an expensive over from Shubman Gill made a lot of difference.
“That day, it was understandable because when Rinku came to bowl, it was a lost cause for India. But today, when India were in control of the situation, they shouldn’t have let go of it. You can always try newer options, but either when you are in complete control of the match or when it’s a lost cause. But again, without experiments, you cannot find new things.”
The second ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.
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