"His over turned out to be quite expensive" - Saba Karim feels India gave Shubman Gill an over at the wrong time against Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim feels the Men in Blue gave Shubman Gill an over at the wrong time during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday, August 2. Gill conceded 14 runs in the over that he bowled, shifting the momentum in Sri Lanka's favor.
Karim said he understood the thinking behind the move from captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir, as a similar tactic was tried during the T20Is, with Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh bowling. However, he felt the decision backfired for India.
Speaking to Sony Sports Network, here's what Saba Karim had to say:
"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."
Karim said a better alternative would have been to give Shivam Dube a few more overs. The medium pacer bowled four overs and picked up a wicket, conceding just 19 runs.
"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,” he added.
Ajay Jadeja agrees with Saba Karim's assessment of Shubman Gill's bowling
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja was also present in the discussion and he echoed Saba Karim's opinion on Team India asking Shubman Gill to bowl. Jadeja highlighted how Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh bowled when the T20I seemed out of India's grasp, while the first ODI was in the Men in Blue's control when Gill's over turned the tide.
On this, Jadeja said:
"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."
Before the game against Sri Lanka, Shubman Gill had bowled a couple of overs in ODI cricket during the 2023 World Cup against the Netherlands where he conceded 11 runs.