IND vs PAK: Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant Need To Learn To Play Risk Free Cricket From Virat Kohli - Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes the new set of Indian batters should learn to perform under pressure in big games from Virat Kohli. The statement came from the former Indian opener after Men in blue’s recent 5-wicket defeat against Pakistan in the Super-4 fixture of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The two arch-rivals came up against each other for the second time in this tournament, with Pakistan beating this time by 5 wickets, while India got the better of them in the Group stage match a week back.

In the Super-4 clash, after being asked to bat first, India got off to a great start with both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scoring at more than 10 per over. But the most important innings came from Virat Kohli, who seemed to have found his vintage touch. The way he was hitting with his bottom hand and ran between the wickets, Indian fans got a glimpse of old Virat after a long time.

Virat Kohli batted brilliantly: Gautam Gambhir

Although the former Indian captain was going well at one end, there was no one to back him up at the other end in the second half of the Indian innings. The entire middle-order of Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya failed to continue the momentum from the other end. As a result, India finished with only 181 runs on the board which was easily 15-20 runs short of the total they were looking for.

“You cannot hit those big shots every time. They need to learn to play risk-free cricket from Virat,” Gambhir said on Star Sports while talking about Suryakumar and Rishabh Pant.  

“Virat batted brilliantly today, he is going to get better from here on. One thing is these guys like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant need to learn from Virat Kohli in the way he runs between the wickets,” he added. 

Virat Kohli is never under pressure: Gautam Gambhir

According to Gambhir both the batters failed to soak up the pressure of such a high-magnitude game and failed to take India to a safe total. They should learn the ways to play risk-free cricket and put the pressure back on the opposition from the Indian number three.

“Surya might have more shots than Virat Kohli, but not every time, you will be able to hit those big shots and the difference between Virat Kohli and the rest of the guys is that Virat is never under pressure because of the way he runs, the way he converts ones into twos. They need to learn to do it under pressure in big games, where you are put in pressure and whether you are able to play that risk-free cricket and still get those 10-11 runs per over,” Gambhir said. 

Suryakumar scored only 13 and Pant got out after adding 14 runs off 12 balls. Hardik got out for a duck. Virat Kohli top-scored with a knock of 60 off 44 balls.

In the second innings, Pakistan chased down the target rather comfortably with one ball to spare. India will now play Sri Lanka in their next Super-4 match on the 6th of September.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli Is One Person Around Whom This Indian Team Plays: Virender Sehwag