'Whenever ball grips...': Gautam Gambhir slams India's top order after Wellalage's magic

In a low-scoring Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s match played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the Indian cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs. Kuldeep Yadav, an Indian spinner, once again stepped up to the plate and collected a four-wicket haul to aid his team in victory. They have now qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 finals.

3 things you need to know 

• Team India is the first team to qualify for the Asia Cup finals 
• Team India batted first against Sri Lanka and was bowled out for 214 runs
• The match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will determine the finalist for the Asia Cup 2023 

READ: IND vs SL: Rohit Sharma defies KL Rahul's decision on DRS, regrets decision later - WATCH

IND vs SL: Team India struggled with the bat against Sri Lanka

The previously difficult matchup between India and rapid left-arm pace has become even more tricky with the advent of left-arm spin. Tuesday's third Super Four game of the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo featured a left-arm orthodox spinner from Sri Lanka named Dunith Wellalage who wreaked havoc on India's star-studded batting lineup.

Image: AP

Wellalage's first five-wicket haul was a magnificent show of talent and accuracy. When you consider that he is only 20 years old and made his Sri Lankan debut just a year ago, this amazing achievement is all the more astonishing. The youthful spinner was successful in dismissing important Indian batsmen including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, in his 13th ODI outing.

IND vs SL Gautam Gambhir makes a huge statement  about facing the spinners

Former Indian cricketer and expert analyst Gautam Gambhir agreed with the evaluation of India's performance versus Sri Lanka. Notably, it was the first time that spin bowlers took all 10 of India's wickets, highlighting the mounting difficulty that spin bowlers face in the world of international cricket.

READ: 'He gives us a lot of options': Rohit Sharma credits top wicket-taker for incredible run in Asia Cup

In a discussion with Star Sports after a rain break during India's 47th over, Gambhir drew comparisons to a problem Indian hitters had in the past while facing spin. He especially mentioned an event that happened earlier this year in Chennai during an ODI match against Australia. The spin combo of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, who both captured six wickets in the match, presented challenges for the Indian team. India missed the target of 270 runs by 21 runs. He said: 

This is becoming a pattern. You remember that match against Australia in Chennai when the ball was gripping a bit and India were chasing some 260 odd runs against spinners like Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. And we couldn't chase it. Whenever the ball grips, we struggle and we don't even know whether we can take the game deep. This is not a 350-run wicket...it's of 270. Imagine if in 40 overs you are three down for 160 or 170, then when the ball grips, it is very important for the batters to adjust. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul's were soft dismissals, but rest were beaten by the front foot. Rohit Sharma was beaten by pace, Gill by...that was a brilliant ball. You expect better from Indian batters,

India is set to face Bangladesh in their last Super Four match despite already being qualified for the final. The other finalists will be decided after the match of PAK vs SL on Thursday, September 14, 2023.