On England's Cricket World Cup 2023 Disaster, Gautam Gambhir Points Out 'Most Damaging Thing'

31.10.2023 - 09:38 sports.ndtv.com

It has been a disastrous Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign for defending champions England who have won just one out of their six matches in the tournament till now.

With just two points, the Jos Buttler-led side is at the bottom of the table as their latest defeat came against India on Sunday.

The bowlers were able to restrict India to 229 but a uninspiring batting display saw them getting all out for 129. Former India batter Gautam Gambhir pointed out that veteran cricketer Joe Root has failed to perform in the competition and his form has been the most "damaging thing" for the English batting line-up. “If you see England's batting lineup, apart from Joe Root, all the other guys want to play aggressive cricket.

It is the form of Joe Root that has been the most damaging thing for this batting lineup because this entire batting lineup revolves around him,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.

cricket India Cricket Team England Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup on Joe Root Jos Buttler Gautam Gambhir Star Sports Britain India Pakistan

The Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal between India and New Zealand was steeped in controversy after several reports suggested that the hosts have changed the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in order to assist their spinners. The reports said that although a new deck was prepared for the match, the match was ultimately played on a 'used surface'. After Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami guided India to the Cricket World Cup 2023 final with a win over New Zealand, legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar fumed over the rumours and rubbished any such suggestions.

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ENG vs NED, Cricket World Cup 2023 Live Updates: With ICC Champions Trophy 2025 qualification at stake, defending champions England take on 9th placed Netherlands at the MCA Stadium in Pune. The Jos Buttler-led side is already out of the semi-finals race, but wins against the Dutch and Pakistan might be enough to guarantee them a place in the main draw of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Netherlands, on the other hand, will look to pull another upset, which will also boost their hopes for the 2025 event in Pakistan. (Live Scorecard | Points Table)

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