Gautam Gambhir questions the decision to award Virat Kohli the man of the match against Pakistan

Gambhir and Kohli (source-twitter)

Monday was an exciting day for the Indian cricket fans. Team India beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 tournament. The margin of the win was a huge 228 runs as Team India took the top spot in the Super Four stage points table.

The stars of the game saw Virat Kohli and KL Rahul take the plaudits with the bat. Both the batters had scored centuries to help India reach 356/2 from their 50 overs. On Sunday, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill scored fifties each to give India a rousing start. With the ball, it was Kuldeep Yadav who spun a web around Pakistani batting order.

Gautam Gambhir doesn’t agree with the choice of player of the match –

Former Indian opener, Gautam Gambhir did not approve of the choice for the man of the match post the win against Pakistan. Virat Kohli was given the player of the match award for his 122 not out off 94 balls. Gautam Gambhir made this comment at the end of the game after India’s huge win over Pakistan.

Gautam Gambhir said, “For me, it's Kuldeep Yadav. Can't look beyond him. I know Virat got a hundred KL (Rahul) got a hundred. Rohit (Sharma), and Shubman Gill got the fifties but on a wicket like this where it was seaming swinging, if someone get five wickets in 8 overs, especially against Pakistan batters, who play spin really well, is a game-changing moment”

The former Indian opener reasoned by saying that Kuldeep Yadav had done well against a team that plays spin well. Gambhir said “I can understand if it was Australia, South Africa or New Zealand because they don't play spin that well. This just shows the quality of the bowler. He beat batters in the air and he beat batters off the wicket as well”

Gambhir, who had played with Kuldeep in the IPL, spoke of the importance of the left-arm spinner held. “Going into the World Cup, that is great for Indian cricket because now you have two attacking pacers upfront and Kuldeep… Three bowlers who can take wickets at any stage of the game," he added.

Kuldeep Yadav came into the attack at a time when Pakistan had already lost a few wickets. The left-arm spinner began with the wicket of Fakhar Zaman to castle him for 27. Kuldeep then ran through the Pakistani batting to end with figures of 5/25.