Former India player Irfan Pathan slammed the body line bowling inflicted on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during Gujarat Titans' seven-wicket play-off victory against Rajasthan Royals. In the 14th over of the RR innings, a short-pitched delivery from Kagiso Rabada hit Vaibhav's helmet, and the opener had to undergo a mandatory concussion test.
Irfan Pathan slamemd GT's bowling approach vs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
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After the hit, Mohammed Siraj also targeted his body in the 15th over, and the Indian pacer was smacked for a six. Taking to X after the match, Pathan criticised GT's approach and claimed that the father in him didn't agree with it.
"Body line bowling to stop 15 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn’t fit well with me", he wrote.
"I know he is playing against the big boys but the father in me doesn’t agree with that," he added.
Chasing a target of 215 runs, GT reached 219/3 in 18.4 overs. Shubman Gill was at his stunning best, slamming 104 off 53 balls. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan got a 32-ball 58. For RR, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma and Jofra Archer took a wicket each.
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Initially, RR posted 214/6 in 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sizzled with the bat for RR, smacking 96 off 47 deliveries. For GT, Jason Holder and Rabada took two-wicket hauls.
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Initially, RR posted 214/6 in 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sizzled with the bat for RR, smacking 96 off 47 deliveries. For GT, Jason Holder and Rabada took two-wicket hauls.
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Speaking after the win, GT skipper Gill said, "I think it's all about, I was in kind of a zone where I was only looking at the gaps and looking at the bowlers and looking at where I want to hit the ball. I wasn't looking to hit the ball too hard. It was just about see the ball land, see my zones and try to adjust there."
"That's what happens when you're batting well. You just see the gaps and you middle everything. I'm very fortunate, you know, we got a... we got a target of 220. At one point it looked like we were gonna restrict them around 180-190, but we got a total and once we got off to a start, we spoke about, I actually wanted to finish the game, quite sad how I got out."
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“The feeling is definitely good. It's one day turnaround, so quick turnaround. So hopefully we all learn and recover tomorrow and then day after go there, see how the wicket is, and then just play another match of cricket. Yes, but I think if you don't play the occasion, it kind of brings the best out of us. And that's what we spoke about even in this game as well, let's take the equation out of the game and let's just try to play a good game of cricket. And as long as we do that, even if we don't end up on the winning side, that's fine,” he added.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/Irfan Pathan slams Gujarat Titans' 'bodyline' tactics against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 'The father in me doesn't agree'
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