IND vs SL: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Kusal Mendis For His Captaincy, Says Sri Lankan Skipper Allowed Indian Batters To Score Big

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis for his tactics during the 33rd match of the ICC World Cup 2023. Sunil Gavaskar criticized Kusal Mendis’s decision to take off in-form pacer Dilshan Madushanka after just three overs.

Dilshan Madushanka made an instant impact by dismissing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on the second ball of the first over. The left-arm pacer bounced back after conceding a boundary on the first ball. The ball missed the outside edge of Rohit’s bat and hit the off stump.

Dushmantha Chameera started with back-to-back maiden overs. In the fifth over, Charith Asalanka dropped Shubman Gill’s catch off Madushanka’s bowling. Chameera created another opportunity in the next over but dropped Virat Kohli’s catch in his follow-through.

Kusal Mendis Allowed Virat Kohli And Shubman Gill To Settle Down – Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that taking off Dilshan Madushanka after just three overs was the turning point in the game. He stated that Madushanka and Chamira had created difficulties for Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli with the new ball.

“I think the turning point, as far as the Indian team is concerned, was taking off Dilshan Madushanka after just three overs. I thought that was terrible captaincy because he was bowling so well. He had got Rohit Sharma out. He and Chamira were making life difficult for Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli at the crease.”

“The ball was moving around. They were edging the ball, playing, and missing. Kusal Mendis took both of them off after bowling just three overs each, which I think was the turning point of the game. Because that allowed Kohli and Gill to settle down and then score the runs,” the former Indian opener told Star Sports.

Madushanka walked off the field after bowling a three-over spell. Chameera appeared to be in pain after attempting Kohli’s catch but completed the over. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill made the most of the chances and formed a crucial partnership for the second wicket.

Gill fell eight runs short of a well-deserved hundred as he was dismissed by Madushanka. Kohli also failed to reach the triple-digit milestone, scoring 88 runs off 94 balls with the help of 11 boundaries. The home team posted a total of 357 runs in the allotted 50 overs.

Also read: IND Vs SL: ‘Rohit Sharma’s Rhythm Gets Him Out’, Says Sunil Gavaskar Dissecting Indian Skipper’s Approach