Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has shared that India can’t afford to lose the dead rubber – the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Saturday, December 10, saying that momentum is crucial for the upcoming Test series later in the month.
However, India registered yet another defeat in their second successive ODI series in Bangladesh after they failed to chase 272 in the 2nd ODI of the ongoing three-match series in Mirpur on Wednesday as well. Notably, Team India lost an ODI series against Bangladesh in Bangladesh under MS Dhoni’s captaincy in 2015 as well.
However, after failing to defend 186 in the first ODI, India fell short by 5 runs while chasing a total of 271 runs despite a solid score of 82 runs from Shreyas Iyer and a valiant 28-ball 51 not out from Rohit Sharma, who played with an injury and batted at No. 9 as well.
However, questions have been asked about India’s white-ball approach after their ODI series defeat but Sunil Gavaskar said that it’s important India look ahead to the Test series, starting December 14 as well.
“They have to pick their strong side” – Sunil Gavaskar
“They have to pick their strong side. It’s a matter of finding confidence for the Test match that follows. The composition of the Test squad and the ODI squad is going to be a little different. But against a team that is batting and bowling so well, Bangladesh have been outstanding. India need to win this. India need to reduce the margin to 2-1. Win the 3rd ODI and get their confidence up and try and win the Test in Chattogram,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sony Sports.
Notably, Team India have a couple of injury issues as captain Rohit Sharma, who picked up a finger injury, will not be available for the 3rd ODI alongside the bowlers – Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Sen. Meanwhile, Gavaskar has also pointed out that it’s important for India to try and win the 2 Tests in Bangladesh before they take on mighty Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series in February-March next year as well.
“The incentive, of course, is if India win the Test series. India have got 4 Tests against Australia in February. If they win these two Tests, out of these 6 Tests, they have to win 5, they give themselves a very good chance to qualify for the World Test Championship,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
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