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India’s 47-run loss to New Zealand in the World T20 opener in Nagpur on Wednesday makes Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men a vulnerable lot, ahead of the big Pakistan clash, according to Sunil Gavaskar. (World T20: Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi Help New Zealand Stun India by 47 Runs)
The former India captain said the game against the arch-rivals has now become a must-win one for the hosts, if they are to qualify for the semi-finals. (Highlights)
“I think overconfidence led to the downfall of India. If they have not been able to beat New Zealand, they might struggle against Pakistan too,” Gavaskar told NDTV. (World T20: Batting Let us Down Against New Zealand, Says Mahendra Singh Dhoni)
India, chasing 126/7 by New Zealand, were all out for 79, which was their second lowest T20 score ever. Dhoni (30) was the top-scorer, while only Virat Kohli (23) and Ravichandran Ashwin (10) got to double figure marks.
The 66-year-old Gavaskar also said that India should have played in a better way on the spinning Jamtha track in Nagpur.
“If this is the kind of track that you are going to use in the World T20, then you must have batsmen who can stick around. After the loss, they have made it harder for themselves against Pakistan,” Gavaskar.
He also was not ready to blame the pitch for India’s debacle. Gavaskar had previously defended the Nagpur pitch, when India had defeated South Africa in three days in a Test match in November.
“If India would have won, there wouldn’t have been so much talk about the pitch. If spinning tracks are the medicine that India are going to use in World T20, they must be ready to tackle it themselves,” Gavaskar opined.
Source: NDTV