"Sri Lanka grabbed the momentum" Ex-India keeper faults Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl Shubman Gill in SL vs IND tied ODI

Shubman Gill conceded 14 runs in his only over against Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI.

Under the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India have been experimenting in their spin department. The experimentation continued during the first ODI between Sri Lanka and India at the R.Premadasa Stadium, where the game ended in a tie. 

Gambhir’s fresh approach and tactics were praised by many cricket pundits during the three-match T20I series, but questions were raised by experts after India let go of the advantage during Sri Lanka’s innings in the first ODI on August 2.

Saba Karim faults Rohit Sharma’s call to bowl Shubman Gill during the first ODI vs Sri Lanka

India were in command when the hosts were reeling at 114/5 after the end of 31 overs. Then, captain Rohit Sharma handed the ball to vice-captain Shubman Gill for the 32nd over.

It experiment failed for Rohit as Gill conceded 14 runs in the only over he bowled. This 14-run over, Saba Karim says, shifted the momentum and allowed the Sri Lankan batters back in the game. They went on to score 230/8 in 50 overs.

Speaking on Sony Sports after the match, ex-India wicket-keeper Saba Karim suggested Sharma should have given that over to Shivam Dube instead of Shubman.

“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. 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,” Karim said.

After a thrilling tied match between Sri Lanka and India, both nations will lock horns on August 4 at the same stadium in Colombo.

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