After India easily chased down a difficult target against Afghanistan in the rain-soaked opening ODI in Dharamsala, former captain Sunil Gavaskar lauded the country’s team-first mentality, saying the batters made the match appear “ridiculously simple”.
After winning by seven wickets in the rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side match, India established a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gavaskar claimed that KL Rahul’s choice to take command during the chase demonstrated the team’s emphasis on team success rather than individual achievements.
“Before that over from Zia Ur Rahman, he had bowled three overs for just 19 runs. Then KL Rahul took 20 runs off that over. Up until that point, Shubman Gill needed 21 runs to reach his hundred, with about 30 still needed for the team to win. But Rahul took charge,” PTI quoted Gavaskar as saying on JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’.
“That tells you everything about this team. It’s not about personal milestones. It’s about what each player can do for the team. To win the match in the 23rd over shows how clinical the chase was. It was a stiff target, not an easy one at all. But they made it look so ridiculously simple because they put the team first.”
Gavaskar also praised Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling performance, stating that India benefits from the all-rounder’s flexibility as a fifth or sixth bowler.
“Depending on the pitch and match situation, he gives the captain and selectors flexibility. Pick me as a batter, pick me as a bowler, I am ready. That is a huge plus for any team,” he said.
Gavaskar praised debutant Gurnoor Brar, saying the pacer excelled with his speed, control, and ball-moving skills.
“For a debutant, his control was excellent. His first ball was around mid-140s, moving away from the right-hander. If you can bowl at that pace with the ability to take the ball away, that’s gold,” he added.
Graeme Swann, a former England spinner, cautioned India that the second ODI in Lucknow would be more difficult, particularly given Afghanistan’s potent spin attack.
“Lucknow is one where spin bowling can really trouble batters. The ball grips, turns and doesn’t come onto the bat easily. Afghanistan’s strength is their spin attack,” Swann said.
“I don’t think this series is over by any stretch of the imagination. Afghanistan have the bowling to challenge India, especially in these conditions. But India have made a very professional start,” he added.
