The third ODI between India and South Africa proved to be a heartbreak for the Blues as KL Rahul and Co came close to winning only to lose by four points. At one stage, victory appeared to be in India’s hands, with Deepak Chahar hitting a 50 and the team needed 10 runs in the final three rounds. But just when India looked set to end the tour on a winning note, Chahar tried to clear the infield but was killed by a hockey ball while South Africa scored to make it 3-0.
Reacting to the result and Chahal’s ill-timed effort, former India captain Sunil Garvaska said Deepak could have chosen to beat the remainder of the match in singles and there was no need to play big shots. Gawaska added that Chahal could have been taken away after a superb bat that brought India to the brink of victory as he skied from Lungi Ngidi to Dwaine Pretorius, which ultimately cost India the game. “The results of the last 10 rounds seemed like it was going to be difficult for South Africa to win. But the way they kept their composure. They were under pressure after Lungi Ngidi conceded a few points. But after that, some of the footage we saw, Maybe you could say… ‘What’s the rush? Deepak Chahal played such a great inning and came close to tying. We only needed 10 runs and we had about 18 balls left. You could have singled and won the game At that time, what’s the use of playing big cards?” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak. While he did not criticize Chahar, Gavaskar did point to a “mind” that had begun to plague Indian cricket. With the game’s popularity at an all-time high, the need to end the game with a glorious shot has been creeping into players’ minds, Gavaskar said. Charisma, exposure and the allure of being a hero is what Gavaskar thinks affects cricketers, explaining it’s what Chahar shoots for. “I’m not blaming him. I’m just saying the idea today is that if you have to win, you can only do it through fours and sixes. Not through singles. Because of that, in Indian hands The race slipped out of it,” Garvascar added.
“I’m not criticizing. I’m just questioning the idea that’s been creeping into people’s minds. If you win by singles, people won’t say anything. But if you play fours, they’ll say ‘Look, he’ hit the boundary to win Contest. Look, he hit six to win the game. “The urge to hear these cheers is why no one wants to go single and win the game.”
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
