3 min learnUp to date: Feb 23, 2026 05:20 PM IST
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar felt that the Indian crew wanted to take a cue from South Africa’s innings, shed their ego and adapt to the circumstances as an alternative of strolling out with overconfidence and throwing their bats at the whole lot of their T20 World Cup conflict.
India’s 12-match unbeaten streak the T20 World Cup was snapped after South Africa drubbed the defending champions by 76 runs.
“Having seen how Brevis and Miller constructed their partnership, that was the method wanted from the Indian batters,” Gavaskar stated on JioStar. “The Indian batters didn’t do this. They got here out with overconfidence, threw their bat at the whole lot and misplaced wickets. South Africa clearly outsmarted India and it was a well-deserved win for them.”
The Indian bowlers began effectively and pushed South Africa on backfoot with three fast wickets. Nonetheless, Brevis and Miller put collectively a match-winning 97-run partnership to take the Proteas to a aggressive complete of 187/7.
In return, the Indian batting line-up imploded and repeatedly misplaced wickets to bundle out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
“India didn’t take notes from South Africa’s innings. They got here out and threw their bat at each supply hoping for a boundary. That’s not the way you play T20 cricket. It’s important to study from the opposition. If they’ve scored effectively on a difficult floor like this, you need to do away with your ego, observe and regulate,” stated Gavaskar.
The Indian prime order was responsible of batting mindlessly with out taking the pitch within the account. The highest three, Ishan Kishan (0), Abhishek Sharma (15) and Tilak Varma (1), had been out inside the facility play to slide to 26/3.
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“Tilak Varma has been a really street-smart batter. However I used to be upset together with his method on this sport. Ishan Kishan misplaced his wicket within the first over. The required fee was round 9.5 runs per over, not 15. So, Tilak may have given himself extra time. On the different finish, Abhishek Sharma had back-to-back geese. So, the accountability was on Tilak to stay round, construct a partnership, and get previous the primary six overs, however he failed to try this,” stated Gavaskar.
Convey again Axar
Gavaskar stated he want to see Axar Patel again within the taking part in XI towards Zimbabwe within the subsequent Tremendous 8 conflict.
“I’d have a look at bringing Axar Patel again into the taking part in XI, maintaining in thoughts the dearth of too many left-handed batters in Zimbabwe’s line-up. You could possibly presumably carry him instead of Arshdeep Singh. However Arshdeep bowled so effectively towards South Africa and also you wouldn’t wish to change any person who regarded in such good rhythm. So, perhaps they won’t make a change and go along with the identical crew,” Gavaskar stated.