Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali stated that Indian openers adopted Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) strategy and executed it effectively in their first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Put in to bat by Sri Lanka, Indian openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a rapid start, scoring 74 runs in the first six overs under powerplay restrictions. Gill made 34 off 16 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six, before being out on the last ball of the powerplay. Shortly after, Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 40 off 21 balls, having struck 5 fours and 2 sixes.

“KKR’s approach was implemented here” – Basit Ali on India’s openers

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali reckoned that Indian openers used the aggressive method of batsmanship like Sunil Narine and Phil Salt did for KKR in IPL 2024. He was also pleased India to use a left-right combination to not let the bowlers settle down.

“From India’s opening partnership, it was apparent that KKR’s approach was implemented here. The Indian batters implemented the approach used by Sunil Narine and Philip Salt,” Basit Ali stated.

“The openers set the tone with their 74-run partnership. It was very difficult for Sri Lanka to bounce back after that. India hit seven sixes and 27 fours. It seemed as if an IPL match was going on. I was quite pleased to see India use a left-right combination,” he added.

Gautam Gambhir was KKR’s mentor when Sunil Narine and Phil Salt put up brisk opening partnerships in IPL 2024. It is also believed that Gambhir was the one who gave the idea of promoting Sunil Narine to open the innings.

Now, Gambhir is India’s head coach. During his press conference, he spoke about giving the players freedom to play their natural game and support them. This is Gambhir’s first assignment as India’s head coach.

“Riyan Parag was given his first over at a very dangerous time” – Basit Ali

Basit Ali also spoke about Riyan Parag’s bowling. He believes that Parag came in to bowl at a dangerous time and it would have dented his confidence had the SL batters attacked him.

“Riyan Parag was given his first over at a very dangerous time because the over-rate was slow. If the Sri Lankan batters had attacked him then, it would have shaken his confidence. Like me, Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir also like Riyan Parag very much,” the former Pakistan player said.

Riyan Parag could not make much impact with the bat but picked up three wickets with the ball to land a killer blow to Sri Lanka’s hopes. With 56 required off the last 4 overs, Parag came in to bowl. He picked up the big wicket of Kamindu Mendis in his first over.

Then, he came in to bowl the last over of the match and wrapped up Sri Lanka’s tail with two wickets in the first two balls of the over. Parag finished with 3/5 in 1.2 overs.