The Indian cricket team's recent tour of the West Indies culminated in a disheartening 2-3 series defeat. Their setback in the fifth T20I played in Florida was particularly bitter, resulting in an eight-wicket loss. This defeat tainted India's T20I record vs West Indies, marking the first time in 17 years that India lost a series of three or more matches on Caribbean soil. Furthermore, post-2021, it's the first bilateral T20I series that has slipped through India's grasp.
So, what led to India's undoing during this series?
Hardik Pandya's Captaincy Conundrums
Throughout the India vs West Indies T20I series, Pandya's captaincy was questionable at best. His on-field decisions, especially regarding bowling changes, often seemed amateurish. His decision to bat first in the crucial last match didn't pay off, and earlier in the series, he misjudged his batting order position, resulting in India's narrow four-run defeat in the opener. Also, sidelining Chahal in crucial overs was a glaring oversight.
Middle Order Misfires
While the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma displayed consistency, the same can't be said for the rest. The middle order, featuring Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Sanju Samson failed to capitalise on good starts. With their lacklustre performances, the pressure mounted on the top order, leading to an unstable batting line-up.
Opening Partnership Woes
The Indian opening partnership was lacklustre throughout the series, barring the exceptional 165-run stand in the fourth T20I. The lack of consistency from openers Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and then Yashasvi Jaiswal added to the woes of the Indian cricket team.
Tailenders' Batting Blues
Bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh, primarily known for their bowling skills, struggled with the bat. Their inability to chip in during crunch situations, especially in the first T20I, was palpable.
Inconsistent Bowling:
The absence of a cutting edge in the Indian bowling line-up was evident throughout the series. Arshdeep Singh’s inconsistent performances, coupled with Mukesh Kumar's inexperience in death overs, hurt India's chances. Apart from Kuldeep Yadav, the spinners, including Axar Patel, failed to stifle the Windies’ batter.
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