Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan hit out at the \u201cbody-line\u201d style used against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during Gujarat Titans\u2019 seven-wicket play-off win over Rajasthan Royals. In the 14th over of RR\u2019s innings, Kagiso Rabada bowled a short ball that struck Sooryavanshi on the helmet, forcing the youngster to go through the concussion protocol. <\/p>\n
After that incident, Mohammed Siraj continued the same theme in the 15th over, targeting the batter\u2019s body again. Siraj\u2019s over didn\u2019t go to plan as Sooryavanshi was able to smash him for a six, adding momentum for Rajasthan at a crucial stage.<\/p>\n
Following the match, Pathan took to X to criticise Gujarat\u2019s approach. While he acknowledged that Sooryavanshi was facing top-level opponents, Pathan said his \u201cfather\u201d instinct couldn\u2019t support the tactic. \u201cBody line bowling to stop 15 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn\u2019t fit well with me,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI know he is playing against the big boys but the father in me doesn\u2019t agree with that,\u201d Pathan added.<\/p>\n
Gujarat chased down Rajasthan\u2019s 215-run target with plenty to spare, finishing on 219\/3 in 18.4 overs. Shubman Gill delivered a standout performance, blasting 104 off 53 balls, while Sai Sudharsan contributed 58 off 32 deliveries. For RR, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma and Jofra Archer shared the wickets, taking one each.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Rajasthan had posted 214\/6 in their 20 overs. Sooryavanshi was the spark for the Royals, scoring 96 from just 47 balls. Jason Holder and Rabada were the main wicket-takers for Gujarat, each claiming two wickets as RR managed a competitive total.<\/p>\n
After the win, Gujarat captain Gill explained his mindset during the chase. \u201cI think it\u2019s all about, I was in kind of a zone where I was only looking at the gaps and looking at the bowlers and looking at where I want to hit the ball. I wasn\u2019t looking to hit the ball too hard. It was just about see the ball land, see my zones and try to adjust there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gill also reflected on how his timing fell into place once he found the right areas. \u201cThat\u2019s what happens when you\u2019re batting well. You just see the gaps and you middle everything. I\u2019m very fortunate, you know, we got a… we got a target of 220. At one point it looked like we were gonna restrict them around 180-190, but we got a total and once we got off to a start, we spoke about, I actually wanted to finish the game, quite sad how I got out.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the quick turnaround after the play-off, Gill said the focus would shift to recovery and preparation for the next challenge. \u201cThe feeling is definitely good. It\u2019s one day turnaround, so quick turnaround. So hopefully we all learn and recover tomorrow and then day after go there, see how the wicket is, and then just play another match of cricket. Yes, but I think if you don\u2019t play the occasion, it kind of brings the best out of us. And that\u2019s what we spoke about even in this game as well, let\u2019s take the equation out of the game and let\u2019s just try to play a good game of cricket. And as long as we do that, even if we don\u2019t end up on the winning side, that\u2019s fine,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan hit out at the \u201cbody-line\u201d style used against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during Gujarat Titans\u2019 seven-wicket play-off win over Rajasthan Royals. In…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Irfan Pathan Slams GT Bodyline Tactics in IPL 2024","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Irfan Pathan slams Gujarat Titans\u2019 bodyline tactics after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit and concussion protocol in IPL 2024 play-off clash.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n