Gautam Gambhir Takes A U-Turn After Cussing Virat Kohli In World Cup 2023

Published - 07 Nov 2023, 01:57 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:22 AM

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir (Image Credits: Twitter)

Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir has taken a U-turn now after criticizing Virat Kohli for the majority of the ICC World Cup 2023. Rohit Sharma-led India, on Sunday (November 5), thrashed high-flying South Africa by a record margin of 243 runs in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to continue their winning run. It was India’s eighth win in as many games.

The top-of-the-table clash did not really live up to the expectations as India thoroughly dominated the contest to inflict a heavy defeat on the Proteas. Batting first, the hosts piled up 326 for 5 in the allotted 50 overs. Virat Kohli starred with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 101 while Shreyas Iyer also played a crucial knock of 77 runs.

In reply, South Africa were all out for just 83. The Temba Bavuma-led side never looked in contention to even challenge India let alone beat them as they suffered one of the heaviest defeats in ODIs. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball for India, taking a career-best 5 for 33 while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami picked up 2 wickets apiece.

Gautam Gambhir hails Kohli and Iyer:

The way most of the batters struggled on the Eden Gardens track, it became very clear that it was not an easy pitch to bat first. As a result, many have heaped praise on Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for giving India a blazing start. The duo added 62 runs in just 35 balls to give India a flying start.

The explosive start gave the innings the impetus and also allowed other batters to take time and settle down. And while Rohit and Gill have been praised by many as unsung heroes, ex-India batter Gautam Gambhir believes Kohli and Iyer deserve more credit than the openers.

“I believe Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli batted on a different planet. This was not the Wankhede or Delhi where the conditions are easy throughout the innings. Here it was easy at the start and became difficult in the middle and at the end. So I believe both should be praised more than Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports.

“Spin was going to be the biggest challenge. The way the two of them batted against Keshav Maharaj, he might have conceded just 30 runs but the important thing was that he picked up just one wicket, and because of that South Africa had to get their fast bowlers back,” he added.

With a semifinal spot in the top spot in the points table sealed, India will be taking on the Netherlands in their last game later this week. The Men in Blue will be looking to extend their winning run and have the momentum on their side ahead of the all-important semifinals.

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