Asia Cup 2022: “Need to learn how to convert ones into twos from Kohli,” Gambhir advises Suryakumar and Pant

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir praised magical batter Virat Kohli’s batting performance in the Asia Cup 2022, saying it is a harbinger of good things to come for the team in the event.

Gautam Gambhir believes that India’s middle-order hitters, such as Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Deepak Hooda, should learn how to dash between the wickets from Virat Kohli. With the exception of Kohli, India’s middle-order failed to live up to expectations against Pakistan on Sunday.

Kohli top-scored with 60 off 44 balls in India’s Super Four match versus Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium, striking four fours and a six while racing hard between the wickets and was brilliant against bowlers in India’s total of 181/7.

The Indian team, headed by Rohit Sharma, were defeated by Babar Azam’s Pakistan by five wickets. Pakistan knocked down the target in 19.5 overs, thanks primarily to Mohammad Rizwan’s 51-ball 71 and Mohammad Nawaz’s 20-ball 42.

Gautam Gambhir told reporters: “See, I like a flexible batting lineup. You can have your set openers, but you need to have flexible No.3 or 4. Yes, Virat has got runs today, the kind of form Suryakumar Yadav is in, once you kind of get that start, get that tempo, you can probably promote Suryakumar Yadav at No.3, and then probably keep going. Virat batted brilliantly today, he is going to get better from here on. One thing is these guys like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant need to learn from Virat Kohli is the way he runs between the wickets.”

He added, “Not every time, you will be able to hit those big shots but the difference between Virat Kohli and the rest of the guys, Surya might have more shots than Virat Kohli, but Virat is never under pressure because of the way he runs, the way he converts ones into twos.

Gautam also remarked: “Suryakumar, Deepak Hooda, and Rishabh Pant might not be able to do it, but they need to learn from Virat Kohli, how important it is under pressure in big games, where you are put in pressure and whether you are able to play that risk-free cricket and still get those 10-11 runs per over.”

After India lost by five wickets, Gambhir stated that the likes of Suryakumar and Rishabh Pant need to learn from Kohli how to play under pressure and strive effectively on their runs between the wickets.