India’s shocking 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland has drawn a strong reaction from batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who described the result as one of the darkest moments in Indian cricket history. The Men in Blue suffered a heartbreaking one-run loss in the second T20I in Belfast after losing the series opener by 34 runs, handing Ireland their first-ever bilateral series victory over India in international cricket.
Writing in his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar held nothing back in assessing India’s disappointing campaign. The former India captain said losing a cricket match is understandable, but suffering a series defeat against Ireland is a result that should force serious introspection.
According to him, the manner of India’s performance was even more worrying than the result itself, as the team lacked urgency, intent and the hunger expected from defending T20 World Cup champions. Sunil Gavaskar wrote: “Sunday, June 28, will go down as one of the worst days in Indian cricket. Losing a game of cricket is one thing, but to lose a series, albeit a two-match series, also depends on whom you lose to.”
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“There are many low points in Indian cricket, and I have been a part of some, but to lose to Ireland has to be one of the lowest in the history of Indian cricket. If Ireland had played exceptional cricket, then it would have lessened the blow. It was simply overconfidence and a sense of casualness that let India down, and that’s why the sadness.”
The legendary batter also criticised India’s approach with the bat, saying the players failed to adapt to the conditions in Belfast. Instead of assessing the extra pace and bounce on offer, several Indian batters continued to play high-risk attacking shots, which ultimately played into Ireland’s hands.
Sunil Gavaskar added: “Playing according to the situation is such an important aspect of any sport, especially cricket. Almost all the Indian batters tried to live up to their image and, on pitches that had a little extra carry and bounce, found that they were dismissed very easily by some good catching allied to smart bowling.”
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India now have little time to recover from the setback as they prepare for a challenging five-match T20I series against England, beginning on July 1. The series will provide Shreyas Iyer’s side with an immediate opportunity to bounce back and answer their critics after one of their most disappointing overseas campaigns in recent memory.
