The Indian cricket team faced a jarring setback against Pakistan's formidable pace attack, leading to the early dismissals of star batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, was dismissed for just 11 runs in the fifth over, followed by Virat Kohli who managed only 4 runs before getting out in the seventh over. By the end of the 14th over, India's score stood at a dismal 66/4. Both Kohli and Sharma were undone by Shaheen Afridi's exceptional pace bowling, who also claimed the wickets of top-scorers Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
The Saving Grace: Pandya and Kishan
Shreyas Iyer, batting at the fourth position, could only muster 14 runs. If not for the valiant efforts of Hardik Pandya, who scored 87 runs, and Ishan Kishan, who contributed 82 runs, India would have found it difficult to even cross the 250-run milestone. Eventually, they managed to set a target of 267 runs for Pakistan to chase.
Gambhir's Tough Talk for Senior Players
Gautam Gambhir, India's World Cup hero, expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's batting lineup. He emphasized that senior players like Kohli and Sharma should take on more challenging batting positions. "Given Ishan Kishan's current form, especially his recent half-century against the West Indies, the senior players should be the ones to take on the tougher roles. If anyone should be batting at No. 4, it should be either Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. Let the youngsters play in their natural positions where they can truly shine," Gambhir commented during his Saturday commentary.
Rain Plays the Spoilsport
The match was marred by multiple rain interruptions, eventually leading to the washout of the second innings.
A Gritty Partnership Under Pressure
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya displayed resilience with a 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket, spanning 141 balls. They came together after Pakistan's pace duo of Afridi and Haris Rauf had reduced India to 66/4 in just over 14 overs.
A Test of Patience and Skill
The conditions at Pallekele, coupled with Pakistan's high-quality bowling, required Pandya and Kishan to exercise restraint and be selective in their shot-making. They faced challenging deliveries from Afridi, who ended with figures of 4/35, and Rauf, who claimed 3 wickets for 58 runs, but managed to weather the storm.
Absorbing the Pressure
Despite the relentless pressure from Pakistan's bowlers, the Indian duo of Pandya and Kishan managed to hold their ground, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive even in tough conditions.