IND vs BAN: "You Can't Really Say That Was It"- Sunil Gavaskar Defends KL Rahul, Explains Why India Lost

Indian wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul made headlines after he dropped an easy catch during the low-scoring game. However, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar may have provided the actual explanation for India’s painful Sunday loss to Bangladesh.

In the opening One Day International (ODI), captained by Litton Das, Bangladesh defeated Rohit Sharma’s Team India by one wicket at the Bangla National Stadium.

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Netizens chastised Rahul for dropping the game-changing catch despite his brilliant performance for the Virat Kohli-led team. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz was dropped by India’s wicketkeeper Rahul on 17, allowing the hosts to punish India in a low-scoring thriller in Dhaka.

India Scored Atleast 80-70 Runs Less: Sunil Gavaskar

At a time when Rahul is under fire for dropping a sitter, batting veteran Sunil Gavaskar has come to his wicketkeeper-batter’s defense. 

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“You can’t really say that was it. Because yes, I think that was the last wicket. That should have made the match over. But the fact that India scored 186, I think you gonna look at that as well. The bowlers did wonderfully well, to get themselves in a position where they were 136-9.

And then Hasan Miraj came, they had a bit of luck with that drop catch, but he played really well. He played sensibly. They took the attack to the opposition and played some bold shots. But India scored at least 80-70 runs less and if they had 250, it could have been a different game,” Sunil Gavaskar told the Sony Sports Network. 

In the first encounter of the three-match series, India batted first and were dismissed for a measly 186 in 41.2 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 27 off 31 balls, while ex-captain Virat Kohli was dismissed after scoring 9 off 15 balls.

Bangladesh Made It Difficult For Themselves By Playing Ultra Cautiously: Sunil Gavaskar

Keeping wickets for India in the absence of first-choice keeper Rishabh Pant, Rahul led the Indian middle-order with a quick-fire 73 off 70 balls. Rahul’s entertaining effort propelled India to a modest score, which Bangladesh eventually chased down in 46 overs. 

“When you are asked to chase less than 4 runs an over. Like Bangladesh were asked to chase, automatically the pressure comes down. Bangladesh made it difficult for themselves by playing ultra cautiously. That’s what got them into trouble. But, I think India didn’t score 70-80 more runs is the reason why they lost,” Sunil Gavaskar added. 

Bangladesh beat India in Dhaka thanks to Miraz’s unbeaten 38 off 39 balls. In addition, the emerging star was selected Player of the Match. 

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