IND vs PAK: Positivity Doesn't Mean That You Go 'Bang Bang': Gautam Gambhir Slams India's Attacking Approach

Former cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Akram cautioned India to not get carried away with their aggressive approach in T20 Internationals.

On Sunday, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

Indian bowlers lighted up by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26) and Hardik Pandya (3/25) bowled out Pakistan for 147 in 19.5 overs. Barring Mohammad Rizwan (43) and Iftikhar Ahmed (28), Pakistan batters lacked intent to score on a slow track.

India must assess the situation: Wasim Akram

India too struggled in the initial phase of their chase when they lost openers inside the powerplay overs. KL Rahul, playing a T20I match after more than six months, was sent packing for a golden duck. 

Rohit was tempted to play the loft shot off Mohammad Nawaz and consequently lost his wicket. Virat Kohli was just doing the right thing of getting those runs but gifted his wicket when he holed out to long-off in a bid to smash Nawaz. 

It is said that India are adapting a new attacking approach under Rohit Sharma, to which Akram opined: 

“It’s India vs Pakistan match. You don’t want to risk it, you would want to play 20 overs and get the target. Have a positive approach, sure, but also assess the situation,” Akram said on-air commentary for the official broadcaster of Asia Cup 2022.

Positivity doesn’t mean you need to go ‘bang bang: Gautam Gambhir 

Gambhir was too critical of India’s new approach of powering runs at a rapid pace. The former Indian opener suggested the team should only have a mindset of winning the game rather than how fast they can finish it. 

“Positivity doesn’t mean you need to go ‘bang bang’. And what is this approach that we keep talking about, the English approach and all that stuff? The only approach is to win a game of cricket, whether you win it in the 15th over or the 19th over, it doesn’t matter. As long as the approach depends on the condition, you’re playing on that as well,” Gambhir said.

“If there’s something in the new ball and you try to go really hard, you might end up losing 3-4 wickets in the first six overs, the game is over. When we talk about template or batting at a certain tempo, I absolutely don’t agree with it,” he added.

India will play their next game of Asia Cup 2022 against Hong Kong on Wednesday (August 31) at the same venue.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Virender Sehwag Lauds Hardik Pandya For His Match-Winning Knock Under Pressure