'Can’t look beyond Kuldeep' - Gautam Gambhir disagrees with Virat Kohli being named Player of the Match against Pakistan in Asia Cup Super Four clash

In a thrilling showdown on the cricketing stage, India delivered a resounding victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in a recent ODI clash, etching their name in the annals of cricket history. The magnitude of India's triumph was nothing short of remarkable, as they clinched their biggest ODI win against Pakistan, outclassing their opponents by a colossal margin of 228 runs.

The Colombo arena bore witness to an extraordinary display of talent, with the dynamic duo of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul seizing the spotlight. Their batsmanship was a sight to behold, as they orchestrated a record-breaking partnership that left cricket enthusiasts in awe. Together, they weaved a mesmerizing tapestry of runs, amassing a staggering 233 runs in a mere 194 deliveries.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter, showcased his mastery with the bat, notching up a scintillating 122 runs from just 94 balls. Meanwhile, KL Rahul's elegant strokeplay was nothing short of sublime, as he contributed a brilliant unbeaten 111 to the team's imposing total.

However, it was the post-match presentation show that truly ignited the cricketing world's fervor, courtesy of Gautam Gambhir. Renowned for his unapologetic perspectives, Gambhir opted to swim against the tide when asked to select the Player of the Match. Surprisingly, he championed the cause of the unassuming Kuldeep Yadav, bypassing the more conspicuous heroics of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

"For me, it's Kuldeep Yadav. Can't look beyond him. I know Virat got a hundred KL (Rahul) got a hundred. Rohit (Sharma), Shubman Gill got fifties but on a wicket like this where it was seaming swinging, if someone get five wickets in 8 overs, especially against Pakistan batters, who play spin really well, is a game-changing moment," Gambhir told Star Sports.

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"I can understand if it was Australia, South Africa or New Zealand because they don't play spin that well. This just shows the quality of the bowler. He beat batters in the air and he beat batters off the wicket as well. Going into the World Cup, that is great for Indian cricket because now you have two attacking pacers upfront and Kuldeep… Three bowlers who can take wickets at any stage of the game," he added.

Nonetheless, the Player of the Match title was eventually bestowed upon Virat Kohli, a decision that seemed perfectly fitting in the grand scheme of things. Kohli’s remarkable performance propelled him to new heights as he became the quickest batsman to reach 13,000 ODI runs. Additionally, he inched closer to emulating the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. 

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