Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed strong disapproval of the Indian team`s batting approach during their Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai. Gavaskar`s comments followed a concerning early collapse by the Suryakumar Yadav-led side while chasing a target of 147 runs.
India`s key top three batsmen — Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Kumar — all struggled under the pressure of the high-stakes chase. As the Indian innings showed signs of panic, Gavaskar, who was on commentary duty, openly criticised the batters` strategy.
“Why are they panicking?”
This was Gavaskar`s pointed question, highlighting a perceived lack of composure from the Indian lineup. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill were both dismissed by Faheem Ashraf. Suryakumar Yadav`s difficult run of form continued as he misjudged a shot, falling to Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan`s Innings: Strong Start, Dramatic Collapse
Earlier in the final, India`s spinner Kuldeep Yadav played a pivotal role, triggering a dramatic batting collapse that led to Pakistan being bowled out for 146 runs. Pakistan had initially enjoyed a robust start to their innings, with openers Sahibzada Farhan contributing 57 runs and Fakhar Zaman adding 46, together forging an 84-run opening partnership.
However, what began as a promising innings quickly unraveled. From a comfortable position of 113 for 1, Pakistan lost momentum rapidly and were eventually all-out in just 19.1 overs.
Farhan achieved his second half-century of the T20 tournament before his dismissal, attempting a second consecutive six off spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub continued the aggressive scoring, but their attack was curtailed when Kuldeep Yadav made his crucial intervention in the 13th over.
Ayub succumbed to Kuldeep`s left-arm wrist spin, marking the onset of Pakistan`s swift decline, as they dramatically lost six wickets for merely 21 runs. Zaman also fell short of his fifty, and Kuldeep further exacerbated Pakistan`s woes by taking three more wickets in the 17th over, including that of captain Salman Agha for just eight runs.
To conclude Pakistan`s innings, pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah intensified the pressure, bowling Haris Rauf for six runs. Bumrah`s celebration included a gesture mirroring one made by the Pakistan bowler towards the crowd in a prior encounter between the two fierce rivals. Bumrah then secured the final wicket, dismissing Mohammad Nawaz and wrapping up Pakistan`s innings in 19.1 overs.
