'If they had 250, it could have been a different game' - Sunil Gavaskar on India's loss against Bangladesh in first ODI

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has come in defense of KL Rahul who was criticized for dropping Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s catch during the first One Day International between Bangladesh and India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday, December 4.

Notably, Mehidy, who eventually went on to bag the Player of the Match award, was given a reprieve when he was batting on 15* as makeshift wicketkeeper KL Rahul dropped a sitter behind the stumps.

Sharing his opinion on the reason behind Indian team’s defeat, Gavaskar said that the visitors had only managed to collectively score 186 runs in the first innings, and they needed at least 70-80 runs more to get a winning total.  At the same time, the 1983 World Cup winner also mentioned that things could have been pretty much different if the Men in Blue had posted 250 runs on the board.

India scored at least 80-70 runs less: Sunil Gavaskar

“You can't really say that was it. Because yes, I think that was the last wicket. That should have made the match over. But the fact that India scored 186, I think you gonna look at that as well. The bowlers did wonderfully well, to get themselves in a position where they were 136-9. And then Hasan Miraz came, they had a bit of luck with that drop catch, but he played really well. He played sensibly. They took the attack to the opposition and played some bold shots. But India scored at least 80-70 runs less and if they had 250, it could have been a different game,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports Network after the game.

“When you are asked to chase less than 4 runs an over. Like Bangladesh were asked to chase, automatically the pressure comes down. Bangladesh made it difficult for themselves by playing ultra cautiously. That's what got them into trouble. But, I think India didn't score 70-80 more runs is the reason why they lost,” Gavaskar added.

Mehidy Hasan successfully took Bangladesh over the line with exactly four overs to spare. He remained unbeaten on 38*(39) and added 51 runs to the 10th wicket partnership along with Mustafizur Rahman.