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Team India opener Shubman Gill endured a torrid stay at the crease before throwing his wicket away in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 2. Gill lacked fluency throughout his innings but got himself set on 16 off 31 deliveries after 12 overs of India’s run-chase.

However, three dots later, he went for the slog sweep off the left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage and top-edged it straight to short cover. Gill’s dismissal for 16 off 35 deliveries gave Sri Lanka an opening after India was coasting at 75/0.

Gill was made India’s white-ball vice-captain before the Sri Lankan tour but has yet to score a half-century in four innings ( 3 T20Is + 1 ODI). While his ODI average is still an impressive 60.18, fans on Twitter were disgusted with his shot selection at such an inopportune time.

Here are some of the reactions:

Fans continued slamming Gill for his painstaking innings with one saying:

“Nothing against Shubman Gill, but our ICT future is dark with him.. His technique of playing spin is really atrocious.. When u have Rohit, Kohli, Kl rahul in the same team for anchor roles, then why Gill too?? who will charge? only Rohit? he must have some backing.”

“Shubman Gill plays ODI in T20 and test cricket in ODI format..Still Gautam Gambhir thinks he is Captain material.. God please save our cricket,” tweeted a fan.

“Burden and Babar Azam of India with strike rate of 45, burden on the team,” said a fan.

Shubman Gill’s dismissal leads to a flurry of Indian wickets

Shubman Gill’s untimely dismissal sparked an unexpected Indian collapse, leaving them in trouble in the series opener against Sri Lanka. Chasing a moderate 231 for victory, the Men in Blue were off to a sensational start before Gill’s wicket made the score 75/1.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Washington Sundar fell in quick succession to leave India 87/3 from a solid 75/1.

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership before the former was trapped LBW by Wanindu Hasaranga. Iyer fell immidiately in the following over to leave India reeling at 132/5 in the 25th over, needing a further 99 runs to win.

Earlier in the day, the Indian bowlers produced a disciplined all-round performance that saw six bowlers pick up at least a wicket to restrict the Lankan batters.

As things stand, India are 134/5 in 27 overs with KL Rahul and Axar Patel at the crease.