‘Defend karne layak total hai’ – Fans react as India score 266 runs against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

After the end of the first innings, India managed to post a respectable total of 266 runs on the board against Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2023 encounter, which is a decent score considering how India was at one stage. The fact that India managed to post a total of over 250 runs without any contribution from some of their key batters like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill shows that India can trust its middle and lower middle-order batters. 

Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first in Pallekele. In the first 4.2 overs, India was 15/0. Before the rain interruption, there was little to no support on the surface. There was no swing or seam for the pacers. There was some uneven bounce on odd deliveries, but nothing threatening. But after the interruption of rain, things changed completely, and Pakistan bowlers were on fire. 

India lost the first wicket four balls after the rain break. There was visibly a shift in momentum. From there, India lost three more wickets in quick succession. In the process, the 7-time champions lost their main batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill. None of them scored more than 15 runs individually, as India was reduced to 66/4 in no time. 

Rescue act from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya

Pakistan was a wicket away from taking the game away from India. Then, it was up to Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya to play the rescue act. The left-right combination worked perfectly for India. The 138-run partnership between the two helped India and revived the innings. Kishan scored a fabulous 82(81), while the Indian vice-captain scored an impressive 87(90). 

Towards the end, Jasprit Burmah hit some blows down the order. Coupled with some extras and poor fielding from Pakistan, India managed to post a challenging total of 266 runs. Soon after the innings of India got over, rain arrived. The signs of the match continuing depend on the spell of the rain. The audience hoped for the match to continue as soon as possible. 

Here’s how the fans reacted to India’s innings –

Defend karne layak total hai

— Shankar Raika (@ShankarRaika51) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/THORthayaar/status/1697976688133681452?s=20

Shami should have been in place of Shardul

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/iromeostark/status/1697976702885093496?s=20

i think i speak for everyone when i say sack this coach before world cup https://t.co/MF3MgyItum

— Arshhhhhh (@ArshVAL) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/140off113/status/1697976686908944700?s=20

https://twitter.com/theshahzebkhan/status/1697976979012952348?s=20

Good come back after initial collapse

— Mad Max (@_mad_maaxx) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/DenissForReal/status/1697976586744877376?s=20

Kya lagta h guys, can we defend?

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) September 2, 2023