"When India was in control"- Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir openly interrogated after mortifying tie vs Sri Lanka

Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim criticized skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to give Shubman Gill an over during the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. Saba Karim stated that Shubman Gill's over proved costly for the Indian cricket team as Sri Lanka gained momentum with the bat.

Head coach Gambhir started his tenure on a high note with a 3-0 clean sweep win in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Gambhir's tactics to use part-time bowlers were praised during the T20I series. However, experts questioned the strategy after India failed to secure victory during the recent ODI match.

India had control over the match when Sri Lanka was at 114 for five in 31 overs. Rohit Sharma decided to experiment by giving Shubman Gill the ball for the next over. Gill conceded 14 runs in his over, which shifted the momentum. Janith Liyanage smashed Gill for a six, and Dunith Wellalage scored a four.

His Over Turned To Be Quite Expensive - Saba Karim

Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Saba Karim stated that India had used similar strategies with part-time bowlers in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Karim noted that Gill’s over proved costly, allowing Sri Lanka to gain momentum.

"The thinking was the same as Asalanka introducing himself in the attack for Sri Lanka or what India tried in T20Is with Suryakumar Yadav giving the responsibility to Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh and even himself to bowl. But again, this was the first time Gill was bowling in international cricket, and his over turned out to be quite expensive and Sri Lanka subsequently grabbed the momentum," Saba Karim said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that India might have given Shivam Dube more overs instead of using Shubman Gill. Karim noted that Dube had bowled four economical overs and taken a wicket. He added that the decision to use Gill instead of Dube was not the right choice.

"India needed an extra spin option on this ground, given the conditions. Maybe India could have gone with Dube for a few more overs, and since they did not go that way, Gill was tried, and it did not prove to be the right decision,” Saba Karim added.

Dunith Wellalage scored an unbeaten 67 off 65 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes. He added 41 runs with Janith Liyanage for the sixth wicket and 36 runs with Wanindu Hasaranga for the seventh wicket. The home team managed to score 230 runs in 50 overs from a challenging position of 178-7.

It Was A Lost Cause For India - Ajay Jadeja

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja agreed with Saba Karim's statement. Jadeja noted that Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh only bowled when the matches were already lost. He added that the captain should not try such experiments when the team is in control of the situation.

“That day, it was understandable because when Rinku came to bowl, it was a lost cause for India. But today, when India were in control of the situation, they shouldn't have let go of it. You can always try newer options, but either when you are in complete control of the match or when it's a lost cause. But again, without experiments, you cannot find new things,” Ajay Jadeja said.

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