Ex-Pakistan star rips into Gautam Gambhir for promoting Washington Sundar to No.4 in IND vs SL 1st ODI

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized Gautam Gambhir after India failed to win the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Friday (August 2). The first game of the three-match series ended in a tie as India failed to capitalize on their strong position in the game.

Batting first, Sri Lanka finished their innings on a modest 230/8 with Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage scoring half-centuries for the the hosts. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets apiece.

In reply, India were also all out for 230 runs as the game ended in a tie. Captain Rohit Sharma gave the Men in Blue a flying start by smashing a 33-ball fifty. He also shared a 75-run stand with Shubman Gill before Wellagage dismissed both of them in quick succession to reduce India to 80 for 2.

India were still ahead in the game and looked destined to register a comfortable win. However, the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel failed to take India home. In the 48th over, Dube hit a four to level the scores.

With only 1 run needed and 2 wickets in hand, the win looked like a mere formality for the visitors. However, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka dismissed Dube and Arshdeep Singh on successive deliveries to bowl out India for 230 runs.

Basil Ali criticizes Gautam Gambhir:

With India failing to chase down 231 runs even after a good start with the bat, Basit Ali has criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir's decision to send allrounder Washington Sundar at number four. With left-arm spinner Wellalage making lives difficult for India's right-handed batsmen, Sundar was promoted to number four to deal with the spinner.

However, the left-hander failed to justify the decision and was dismissed for 5 by Akila Dananjaya. Basit Ali said that even if Gautam Gambhir wanted a left-right combination, sending Sundar at number four was not a wise decision.

"He sent Sundar at 4, which was a surprise for me. Was Gautam trying to do a left-right combination? I think sending Sundar at number 4 doesn't make sense," Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.

India will be looking to take an unassailable lead in the series by winning the second ODI, scheduled to be played on Sunday (August 2).