"KKR's approach was implemented" - Basit Ali's colossal claim on India's first match under coach Gautam Gambhir

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali claimed that Indian openers used the approach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and implemented it to perfection in the first T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele.

After being put into bat by the hosts Sri Lanka, Indian openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a flying start. Both the batters smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers and used the powerplay restrictions to score 74 in the first 6 overs.

However, Gill was dismissed off the last ball of the powerplay for 34 off 16 balls, which included 6 fours and 1 six. Soon after in the next ball, Yashasvi Jaiswal was also dismissed for a brisk 40 off 21 balls. The left-hander slammed 5 fours and 2 sixes during his knock.

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"KKR's approach was implemented here" - Basit Ali on India's openers

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali reckoned that Indian openers used the aggressive method of batsmanship like Sunil Narine and Phil Salt did for KKR in IPL 2024. He was also pleased India to use a left-right combination to not let the bowlers settle down.

"From India's opening partnership, it was apparent that KKR's approach was implemented here. The Indian batters implemented the approach used by Sunil Narine and Philip Salt," Basit Ali stated.

"The openers set the tone with their 74-run partnership. It was very difficult for Sri Lanka to bounce back after that. India hit seven sixes and 27 fours. It seemed as if an IPL match was going on. I was quite pleased to see India use a left-right combination," he added.

Gautam Gambhir was KKR's mentor when Sunil Narine and Phil Salt put up brisk opening partnerships in IPL 2024. It is also believed that Gambhir was the one who gave the idea of promoting Sunil Narine to open the innings.

Now, Gambhir is India's head coach. During his press conference, he spoke about giving the players freedom to play their natural game and support them. This is Gambhir's first assignment as India's head coach.

"Riyan Parag was given his first over at a very dangerous time" - Basit Ali

Basit Ali also spoke about Riyan Parag's bowling. He believes that Parag came in to bowl at a dangerous time and it would have dented his confidence had the SL batters attacked him.

"Riyan Parag was given his first over at a very dangerous time because the over-rate was slow. If the Sri Lankan batters had attacked him then, it would have shaken his confidence. Like me, Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir also like Riyan Parag very much," the former Pakistan player said.

Riyan Parag could not make much impact with the bat but picked up three wickets with the ball to land a killer blow to Sri Lanka's hopes. With 56 required off the last 4 overs, Parag came in to bowl. He picked up the big wicket of Kamindu Mendis in his first over.

Then, he came in to bowl the last over of the match and wrapped up Sri Lanka's tail with two wickets in the first two balls of the over. Parag finished with 3/5 in 1.2 overs.