Defeat against Pakistan behind India’s downfall in T20 World Cup – Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said India’s self-confidence was shattered after the defeat against Pakistan. India were thumped by 10 wickets in Dubai and they showed nervousness in the game with New Zealand.

Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said India were badly hurt by their first loss to Pakistan in the history of two-format World Cups and they never regain confidence.

Pakistan hammered them by 10 wickets and New Zealand won the game by 8 wickets.

“You have got to congratulate New Zealand for the way they played. They didn’t allow India the freedom to play their natural game. Yes, you might argue that Rohit Sharma should have opened the batting but look at the way New Zealand bowled,” Gavaskar said.

“Having lost to Pakistan had certainly demoralised the Indian team. For the last 12 World Cup events, India hadn’t lost but suddenly they lost and they lost very badly. And I think certainly dented their self-confidence. What they needed against New Zealand was to get off to a great start. But in the first 6 overs, they lost 2 wickets.

“I have been stressing that teams winning the powerplays go on to win the match. And that’s exactly what happened. New Zealand won both their bowling and batting powerplay,” he added.