A dropped catch of Virat Kohli in the 43rd over of India’s innings in the World Cup semi-final against Australia proved to be the turning point in the match, according to former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir.
Kohli was on 82 at the time, and his wicket would have been a huge blow to India. However, he went on to score 112 runs, and India won the match by six wickets to reach the World Cup final.
Gambhir believes that the dropped catch was a “turning point” in the match, and that it cost Australia a place in the final.
“I think it was Mitch Marsh who dropped that catch,” Gambhir said. “It was a very difficult catch, but he should have taken it. If he had taken that catch, India would have been in a lot of trouble.
“But Kohli went on to score a century, and India won the match. So, you could say that the dropped catch was the turning point in the match.”
Why did Gambhir say that the dropped catch was a turning point in the match?
Gambhir believes that the dropped catch was a turning point in the match because it allowed Kohli to go on and score a century.
“Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world,” Gambhir said. “If you give him a chance, he will punish you.
“So, when Marsh dropped that catch, he gave Kohli a chance. And Kohli took that chance and punished Australia.”
Kohli’s innings was crucial to India’s victory
Kohli’s innings was crucial to India’s victory. He scored 112 runs off 110 balls, and he put on a match-winning partnership of 189 runs with Ravindra Jadeja.
“Kohli’s innings was one of the best I have ever seen,” Gambhir said. “He was under a lot of pressure, but he played with great composure and skill.
“He was able to rotate the strike well, and he was also able to hit boundaries when he needed to.
“His innings was the difference between the two teams.”
What can Australia learn from the dropped catch?
Australia can learn a lot from the dropped catch of Kohli.
“Firstly, they need to be more careful when they are fielding,” Gambhir said. “They can’t afford to drop catches of big players like Kohli.
“Secondly, they need to be more aggressive with their bowling. They need to try to get Kohli out early, and not give him a chance to settle in.”
Australia need to be more careful with their fielding
Australia need to be more careful with their fielding. They can’t afford to drop catches of big players like Kohli.
“Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world,” Gambhir said. “If you give him a chance, he will punish you.
“So, Australia need to be very careful when they are fielding against Kohli. They can’t afford to drop any catches.”
Australia need to be more aggressive with their bowling
Australia need to be more aggressive with their bowling. They need to try to get Kohli out early, and not give him a chance to settle in.
“Kohli is a very dangerous player when he is set,” Gambhir said. “So, Australia need to try to get him out early.
“They can do this by bowling at him with good pace and bounce. They can also try to bowl him out with spin.”
Conclusion:
The dropped catch of Kohli in the World Cup semi-final against Australia was a turning point in the match, according to former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir.
Kohli went on to score a century, and India won the match to reach the World Cup final.
Australia can learn a lot from the dropped catch. They need to be more careful with their fielding, and they need to be more aggressive with their bowling.