Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir seemed unhappy with Virat Kohli’s shot selection as the batter got out cheaply after being scalped by Shaheen Afridi. To note, India is taking on Pakistan in their tournament opener in Asia Cup. The contest is being held in Kandy with India top-order being exposed to some quality pace bowling once again. Gambhir stated that Kohli was a bit casual while other commentators believed that the batter was a bit unlucky as he chopped one to the stumps.
That was a nothing shot: Gambhir on Kohli’s dismissal
“That was a nothing shot, neither forward, neither back. I think was a bit casual. That’s what you get when you play someone like Shaheen Afridi. You don’t know whether to go forward or back,” Gambhir said in commentary on Star Sports. However, Pakistan veteran Waqar Younis said, “Kohli was a touch unlucky. Inside edge, the ball didn’t come on to bat and maybe even kept a bit low. But credit to Shaheen Shah Afridi for altering his length.”
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden also agreed with Waqar. “Yeah, inside edge onto the stumps, could have got anywhere,” said Hayden. Kohli was dismissed for just four runs in seven deliveries which included one boundary. Apart from scalping Virat, Shaheen also took the crucial wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
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“Yeah, that was our plan. The new ball was important to get breakthroughs for us. Thanks to almighty as well. Both (Rohit and Kohli) wickets were same for me but I still feel that the Rohit’s one was a good one. I enjoyed that wicket. The plans worked well for us. Naseem Shah is bowling at a good speed, 150 kmph,” Afridi said in mid-innings break.
I am really happy with that and he does bowl really fast. There is a bit of swing and seam on offer with the rain around and the weather. New ball does swing and seam but once it stops doing it’s bit, it becomes easier for batting,” he added.
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