'Basically, don't go ahead of yourselves': Gavaskar offers piece of advice for India star; 'You can get into trouble'

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar had an advice for India's star batter ahead of the second Test in Bengaluru.

Published on: Mar 12, 2022, 14:12:41 IST

By hindustantimes.com, New Delhi

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Team India returns to action in the second and final Test of the series against Sri Lanka on Saturday, as Rohit Sharma's men take part in the pink-ball Test in Bengaluru. India made an emphatic start to the series in the first Test in Mohali, which was also Rohit's maiden game as the full-time captain of the side; the hosts registered an innings-and-222-run-win over the Sri Lankans.

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar during the 2nd day of the 1st test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, in Mohali. (PTI )

There were a number of significant changes in the side including the change of faces at no.3 and 5, as Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer replaced Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane respectively. Vihari slammed a half-century in the Mohali Test (58 off 128 deliveries) and would be aiming to continue to build on the momentum in the final Test in Bengaluru.

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The pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka is India's only third day-night game at home; the side had won both of their previous matches against Bangladesh and England earlier. Ahead of the game, former India captain and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar had a piece of advice for Vihari.

“Basically, don't go ahead of yourselves. Sometimes, you do go ahead of yourselves and that is acceptable when there is a declaration on the bounce. Otherwise, just focus on the next ball that is going to come,” Gavaskar said in the pre-match show on Star Sports.

“The moment you start to get a little pre-determined and the ball is not in the area that you are looking to play the shot, you can get into trouble. Otherwise, nothing needs to be changed at all,” Gavaskar added further.

Earlier, India's Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test. India made one change to their playing side — fit-again left-arm spinner Axar Patel came in, replacing off-spinner Jayant Yadav. Patel took 11 wickets against England in India’s last day-night test.

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