Former India cricketer and commentator Gautam Gambhir said Delhi Capitals (DC) made a big mistake by giving Avesh Khan the penultimate over instead of Kagiso Rabada in the Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Gambhir believes that Rabada should have bowled in the penultimate over, as Avesh was hit by a four and a six in the 19th over of CSK's successful run-chase of 173, and eventually, DC suffered a 4-wicket defeat in the Quarterfinal 1 of the IPL 2021 in Dubai on Sunday (October 10).

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Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Gambhir said: “It was a big mistake. You've got to back your premier fast bowler ahead of Avesh Khan. Even though Khan picked up the important wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad, I would have still gone with Rabada for the 19th over.”

Lauding Robin Uthappa, who played a brilliant knock of 63 runs off 44 balls, Gambhir said that the right-hander likes to bat higher up the order and the credit goes to the CSK management to play him at no.3.

He signed off by saying, “Credit goes to Dhoni for sending Utthapa to no.3. He also had the option of sending Moeen Ali ahead of him. But the good thing is that he persisted with him. Uthappa has always liked pace on the ball and enjoys batting higher up the order.”

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)