Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir get dangerous threat after multiple experiments vs Bangladesh

Former Team India opener Sunil Gavaskar slammed skipper Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir for consistently changing the batting order in the Asia Cup 2025. Gavaskar said that Suryakumar and Gambhir should avoid excessive tinkering with the lineup ahead of the final Super Four match.

India secured a spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final after defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs in their Super Four clash in Dubai on Wednesday, September 24. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team posted a total of 168-6 after batting first. Indian bowlers then restricted Bangladesh to 127 runs, preventing an upset in the eight-team event.

Abhishek Sharma’s Dismissal Triggers Team India's Collapse vs Bangladesh

Team India got off to a solid start, with the openers adding 77 runs in 6.2 overs, but the momentum faltered after Shubman Gill’s dismissal. Shivam Dube, promoted to No. 3, scored just two runs before falling.

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Abhishek Sharma scored 75 off 37 balls, including six fours and five sixes, before being run out following a mix-up with Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian skipper managed five runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman.

Sanju Samson, slotted at No. 8, did not get a chance to bat. India managed to post a total of 168-6 despite the promising start, with Hardik Pandya contributing a crucial 38 off 29 balls.

With the ball, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3 wickets for 18 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets each. India secured their fifth consecutive victory in the tournament.

A Bigger Team Could Have Made It a Problem - Suryakumar Yadav Slams Suryakumar Yadav

Sunil Gavaskar advised Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav to avoid making frequent changes to the batting order. Gavaskar stated that cricket is not for fun and added that a stronger opponent could have posed a serious challenge.

"Cricket is not for fun and games (Cricket se masti nahi). The way the batting order was shuffled — it shouldn't have been done. 168 runs were not enough, and while Bangladesh couldn’t chase it, a bigger team could have made it a problem,” Gavaskar told AajTak in an interaction.

You Shouldn't Experiment Too Much - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar criticized the lack of clarity in Sanju Samson’s role and questioned the decision to promote Shivam Dube to the top order. He emphasized that Dube is best suited for the lower middle order and warned that excessive experimentation with the batting lineup can backfire.

“You took Sanju Samson away from opening and made him the wicketkeeper, then gave him the role of batting at No. 5 or as a finisher. Shivam Dube, who is usually at No. 6 or 7 to come in and score 20–25 runs off 10 balls — that’s his role. But you sent him at No. 3, and he couldn't adjust and got out. So in my opinion, you shouldn't experiment too much," Gavaskar added.

India are set to face Sri Lanka in their final Super Four match on Friday, September 26. The Men in Blue will then meet the winner of the match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28.

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