Asia Cup 2023: The cricket world buzzed with excitement as India faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 opener at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Yet, it wasn’t the sort of day Virat Kohli would want to remember. The Indian batting superstar was dismissed for just four runs, triggering a chain of analysis and criticism. Speaking on Star Sports, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir didn’t mince words when commenting on Kohli’s dismissal. He called it a “nothing shot,” criticizing Kohli for his casual approach against a bowler of Shaheen Afridi’s caliber.
“Kohli played a nothing shot, neither forward nor back. That’s the result when you face someone like Shaheen Afridi,” said Gambhir. He was clearly unimpressed with Kohli’s shot selection, emphasizing that one needs absolute clarity when facing a bowler like Afridi. Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis offered a slightly different perspective, suggesting that Kohli was a bit unlucky. “The ball didn’t come onto the bat, and maybe even kept a bit low,” Waqar noted. Nonetheless, he credited Afridi for altering his length brilliantly.
Asia Cup 2023: Gautam Gambhir Slams and Waqar Younis talks about the dismissal of Virat Kohli vs Pakistan
“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,” said Gambhir during commentary.
“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,” Waqar said.
It’s worth mentioning that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have had difficulties facing left-arm bowlers, and Shaheen Afridi exploited this weakness perfectly. Adjusting his length after the rain break, Afridi dismissed both of India’s main run-scorers, setting the stage for a fascinating contest. Despite their setbacks, India managed to post 266 runs, thanks to significant contributions from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.
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However, the story doesn’t end there. Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf made history by picking up all 10 Indian wickets, a first in Asia Cup history. While that feat deserves applause, it also shines a spotlight back on the Indian batters, especially when high-caliber players like Kohli fail to deliver.
The criticisms from Gambhir reflect the expectations that come with being a cricket superstar like Virat Kohli. When you’re as accomplished as he is, every shot you play is scrutinized, especially in high-stakes matches against arch-rivals. Kohli’s performance against Pakistan will undoubtedly serve as a lesson, not just for him but for the entire Indian team. It’s a wake-up call that reminds players that even the most seasoned pros can have off days, and when that happens, it’s the collective responsibility of the team to step up.
