INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: An enraged Sunil Gavaskar didn't hold back his criticism towards the Indian players on Sunday, specifically targeting Virat
Kohli, following their feeble performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia
Gavaskar expressed his disappointment, labeling the batting display as "ridiculous."In a game largely controlled by the Australian team,
they sealed a comprehensive 209-run victory over India on the fifth and final day.The result left Gavaskar fuming, as he directed his
frustration towards the Indian players for their lackluster performance throughout the match, with special mention of Kohli."The batting was
It was just ridiculous what we saw today
Especially the shot making
We saw some ordinary shots yesterday from (Cheteshwar) Pujara, somebody you never expect to play that shot."Maybe somebody has gone into his
head and said 's trike rate, strike rate'
You have not even lasted a session
Eight wickets have not lasted a session? Come on," Gavaskar told broadcaster Star Sports.The result meant India's underwhelming record in
ICC tournaments continued.Australian pacer Scott Boland produced a bowling spell of rare quality to get rid of Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in
the same over, effectively shutting the door on India, who were bowled out for 234 in their second innings on the final day here at The
Oval.Gavaskar said Indian batters erred persistently around their personal landmarks, citing a pattern.Speaking about Kohli's dismissal,
Gavaskar said, "It was a pretty ordinary shot
Maybe he was conscious that he needed one run to reach his half century
It happens when you are nearing a milestone."It happened to Jadeja
He played a delivery he shouldn't have when he was (on) 48
Happened to Ajinkya Rahane who was on 46
He hadn't played that shot all this while
Suddenly why do you play that shot? Because you are aware of that landmark."Having made 49 off 78 balls, Kohli was the first Indian to get
out on the final day, off Boland who invited the batter to go for a drive on a wide delivery and the batter obliged.Slamming Kohli for his
shot selection, Gavaskar said, "It was a bad shot
You should ask Kohli what shot he played
He talks so much about how to win a match you need a long innings
How are you going to do that if you play a ball so far outside the off stump?"This was India's second defeat in successive WTC finals
after losing to New Zealand in 2021 in the inaugural edition.Set an improbable target of 444, India started the day at 164 for three but
soon lost batting mainstay Kohli, followed by Jadeja (0) and Rahane (43) to be bowled out for 234 in 63.3 overs, losing seven wickets for
only 70 runs.(With PTI Inputs)
