It was yet another disappointing night for India at the Asia Cup on Tuesday as they lost to Sri Lanka in the Super 4 to be perilously close to elimination from the continental event. India skipper Rohit Sharma’s scintillating 41-ball 72 went in vain, as the islanders completed a chase of 174 with a ball to spare. Needing 21 in 12 balls, Sri Lanka scored 14 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, almost sealing it in their favour. India will be out of the tournament if Pakistan beat Afghanistan on Wednesday.
After the match, former India allrounder Irfan Pathan said that Arshdeep Singh should have bowled the 19th over. The young left-arm pacer bowled the last over with Sri Lanka needing seven runs. He fought on till he end but Sri Lanka won in 19.5 overs.
“If you look at the ground, there is no dew. The bowling actually makes it easier. There was a little help for the spinners as well. The wickets that fell, all came from the spinners. The ball was at least holding a bit. No fast bowlers got a wicket. I think Rohit Sharma missed a trick, couple of times – Deepak Hooda did not bowl, second Arshdeep should have bowled the 19th over because of the left armer’s angles the ball was going away nicely. That could have been so much better. I was saying that during commentary as well not just saying after the game,” Irfan Pathan on Star Sports.
“These two things could have done better. The bowling in the first 10 overs, you definitely expect better from Team India.”
