India lost the first one-day international against South Africa by 31 runs in Paarl on Wednesday, despite being in a commanding position with both ball and bat.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his thoughts after the first ODI between India and South Africa which the visitors lost by 31 runs. He has pointed out a shortcoming in the current Indian cricket setup that is harming Indian cricket. The reason for India not winning an ICC tournament since 2013 is the lack of all-rounders in the team.
Gavaskar stated that, “there is only one reason why this team has been left disappointed in ICC tournaments (ODI and T20I). If you look at the teams that won the 1983 and 2011 World Cups or even the 1985 World Championship of Cricket-winning side, they were all full of outstanding all rounders “
“There were many batters who could bowl and the bowlers could bat. The numbers 6,7 and 8 requires all-rounders which all these victorious teams had. The likes of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina could bowl and bat very well. This is the one shortcoming that the Indian team has over the past two or three years, as a result of which the captain has not had many options and the team has lacked flexibility,” Gavaskar added.
India play South Africa in the second ODI in Paarl on January 21. They need to win this game to keep the series alive.