In the Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan, Gautam Gambhir did not wish for the Indian openers to be overly defensive versus the Pakistan new-ball bowlers.
On September 2, the two bitter rivals will square off in Pallekele for a Group A match. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, the three excellent seamers for Pakistan, will face up against the Indian top order in a contest that may go any way. He said, “Against Shaheen Shah Afridi or Naseem Shah, whether it is Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill, the approach should be absolutely clear. Look to score runs and not to survive because when you look to score runs, you have better rhythm, and your backlift and footwork are better.”
The former Indian batsman believes Rohit Sharma and company shouldn’t be overly anxious whereas facing Pakistan’s fast bowlers during the T20I format given their prior troubles. The Lucknow Super Giants mentor added that, “It has been spoken about a lot that Naseem Shah or Shaheen Shah Afridi troubled Indian batters in the T20 World Cup but that is the past. You need to stay in the present and that was T20, the 50-over format is very different.”
Gautam Gambhir gives his take on India’s top 4 ahead of India-Pakistan game
Following the 2019 World Cup, India and Pakistan have not met in an ODI match. Both teams have won two of the four T20Is that have been played since then, however the Indian top-order hitters have not been able to overpower the Pakistan seamers.
Gautam Gambhir also gave his opinion about the top order batters for Team India ahead of their match versus Pakistan at the 2023 Asia Cup in Pallekele. He has opted for Ishan Kishan and youngster Shubman Gill to open the innings for Team India, with Virat batting at number 3 and Rohit Sharma batting at number 4. The absence of KL Rahul for the group stage games has meant that Ishan Kishan will surely get a run in ODIs in the Asia Cup.
Fans react to Gautam Gambhir picking India’s top 4 versus Pakistan:
Gautam Gambhir's top 4 against Pakistan (Star Sports):
1. Shubman Gill.
2. Ishan Kishan.
3. Virat Kohli.
4. Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/Iy6y4HLnDc— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 2, 2023
Rohit Sharma ?
— Shivani (@shivani__D) September 2, 2023
India 0-2 after 1st over. pic.twitter.com/3KRnfuctJn
— The CrickFun (@TheCrickFun) September 2, 2023
W selection
— Saurav (@saurav_viratian) September 2, 2023
Rare L from Gambhir
— User45 (@140off113) September 2, 2023
I think he knows Ro-HIT bat any where ???
— ASHISH (@Ashish87652264) September 2, 2023
But he didn't mention his own name
He is the best against Pak— V?? Shar??? (@vij7227) September 2, 2023
I dont want this but still it looks better
— ????????!??_?? (@bholination) September 2, 2023
MSD? ???
I want to know what Gambhir will think about MSD as a coach post retirement
— Apurv Anand (@apurv_anand) September 2, 2023
Rohit ko open hi karne do
— Shankar Raika (@ShankarRaika51) September 2, 2023
Iska alag hi chalta hai
— Supriya (@Supriya_pro) September 2, 2023
King Kohli ?
Rohit Sharma
Hardik
Siraj— ????? (@ehsann__) September 2, 2023
Why Rohit sharma ? ??
— DENGUE (@Den__gue) September 2, 2023