In the inaugural clash of the Asia Cup 2023 against arch-rivals Pakistan, the Indian cricket team’s top-order faced a significant setback, with the trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill failing to make substantial contributions with the bat. This article delves into their struggles and the impressive recovery led by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.

In a disappointing turn of events for India, the top-order batting lineup, consisting of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, faltered against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack. The trio’s dismissals without significant runs on the board added to India’s woes. Bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah made life difficult for the Indian top order.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts on India’s top-order collapse during an interview with India Today. While acknowledging that Rohit and Virat fell to well-executed deliveries, Gavaskar expressed concern about Shubman Gill’s performance, noting that he seemed out of sorts and unable to play his natural game.

According to Gavaskar, “Both the batters (Rohit and Virat) could’ve used their feet a bit better. Rohit Sharma had a big gap between his bat and pad. Shreyas Iyer was a bit unlucky. That was a cracking hook shot but it went straight to the fielder. If the fielder could’ve been 5 meters left or right, it would’ve been a boundary. Shubman Gill, for some strange reason, looked very subdued. Didn’t look as if he was playing his natural game, seemed to be in some uncertainty around him. That’s why he didn’t open his account for a long time and hardly looked the Shubman Gill that we know.”