Sunil Gavaskar was candid in his critique of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill’s impulsive dismissals during a crucial ICC World Cup 2023 match. In contrast, he praised Virat Kohli for his steadfast determination. Kohli’s brilliant unbeaten century guided India to their fourth consecutive World Cup victory, silencing the critics.
Gill, who had just reached his half-century, was replaced by Iyer at the crease. Gill’s bold attempt to clear long-on ended with Mahmudullah taking a crucial catch at the boundary. However, Iyer, who had been accumulating singles and doubles alongside Kohli, lost his patience, attempting a slog that resulted in a similar fate, with Mahmudullah once again proving to be his nemesis in the deep.
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“He (Shreyas Iyer) lost his patience. He was batting on 19 and threw his wicket away. Shubman Gill was batting on fifty (52) and threw his wicket away. You need to know how to get to a hundred. Shubman Gill is at least getting hundreds; Shreyas Iyer is not getting hundreds. He is getting his opportunities to bat at number 4 on pitches as good as these, and attacks as toothless as this, and he is throwing away the opportunity,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
The 74-year-old showered praise on Virat Kohli for his unwavering discipline, highlighting his rare ability to protect his wicket, making opponents work for his dismissal.
Despite mounting criticism that Kohli’s pursuit of personal milestones might overshadow the team’s goals, the ‘Little Master’ voiced his strong support, asserting that the 34-year-old’s approach is driven by a commitment to victory and that achieving hundreds is not a negative pursuit.
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“Kohli never does that. Kohli seldom ever throws his wicket away. He makes you earn his wicket. And that is exactly what you need. When he got to 70-80, realizing that he has an opportunity to get to a hundred and why not? Hundreds don’t come every day,” the former cricketer added.
