Last Update on: September 11th, 2023 at 03:57 pm
Legendary India National Cricket Team leg-spinner Anil Kumble came up with a crucial piece of advice for the duo of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul ahead of the reserve day clash between India and Pakistan.
India and Pakistan are locking horns in the Match No.3 of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. On Sunday, only 24.1 overs were possible due to the rain, and the match was pushed to the reserve day on Monday.
After being invited to bat first, Indian openers decimated the strong Pakistan bowling unit. Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill smashed brilliant half-centuries and added 121 runs for the opening wicket. After the openers got out in successive overs, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul joined forces to take India to 147/2 and the match was called off for the day.
Speaking ahead of reserve day play on ESPNcricinfo, Anil Kumble advised Kohli and Rahul to approach the game as a 25-over contest because the rain can interrupt the play anytime.
“Both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are experienced. They will resume from where they left off. If you approach it as a 25-over match, then your intent will be different. Rain can come anytime and it can become a 35 or 40 overs game,” Kumble explained.
You need to be aware that the game can stop anytime – Anil Kumble
The former India captain added that the game could be stopped anytime so the batters need to play with high intensity and maximise the remaining overs.
“You need to be aware that the game can stop anytime. You need to play with that intensity. You need to maximize the remaining overs. I am sure Virat, KL and Hardik [Pandya] will be the key for the remainder of the game,” he added.
Anil Kumble also showered rich praise on Shubman Gill for his 58-run knock against Pakistan.
“The intent was really good. Gill has scored back-to-back half-centuries, so that should give him a lot of confidence going into the rest of the Asia Cup and the World Cup,” the 52-year-old said.
