India, Feb. 6 -- Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was not happy with KL Rahul's short innings, which he believed was designed to help his partner Shubman Gill reach a century in the first ODI against England in Nagpur. Unfortunately for Rahul and India, he got out, and Gill, too, could not reach his century as he fell soon after.

When Axar Patel was clean-bowled by a vicious turner from Adil Rashid in the 34th over, India were 221/4, needing 27 runs to win. The overs remaining (14.2 overs) were not a concern. The only matter was whether Gill was going to get his century. Coming in to bat at No.6, Rahul appeared aware of the situation, and he decided to help his partner as much as possible.

After getting two singles off his first four...