India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya admitted they didn’t bat well after their six-wicket loss against the West Indies at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday. After the visitors were put into bat by Shai Hope, they got off to a steady start as the openers – Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill – added 90 runs for the opening alliance.
The opening stand was broken when Gill was dismissed when he took on Gudakesh Motie but holed out to long-off fielder, Alzarri Joseph. Kishan scored his second fifty on the bounce but he was dismissed after a run-a-ball 55 with Alick Athanaze taking a good catch at point.
From there on, India’s middle order tumbled like a pack of cards in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both were rested. Sanju Samson once again could not grab his chance whereas the ploy of promoting Axar Patel to number four didn’t work as he was dismissed on a short ball by Romario Shepherd.
Suryakumar Yadav got off to another start as he scored 24 but once again could not make it count. West Indies bowlers were right on the money with Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie taking three wickets apiece to bundle out India for a paltry score of 181 runs.
On the other hand, West Indies skipper Shai Hope and Keacy Carty scored unbeaten knocks of 63 and 48 runs respectively to help their team get over the line.
Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation, “We didn’t bat in the way we were supposed to. The wicket got much better than the first innings. Disappointing, but got to learn many more things. The way the openers batted, the way Kishan batted, it’s important for Indian cricket. Thakur kept our hopes alive. Hope batted well, they held their nerves and got over the line.”
Pandya added he has to bowl more overs to be fully ready for the upcoming ODI World Cup, “I have to bowl more overs to get ready for the World Cup. Being a turtle at the moment, not a rabbit. Hoping everything goes well during the World Cup. They will be tested, we will be tested now that the series stands 1-1. The next game will be exciting for the viewers as well as the players.”
The third ODI of the series will be played at Trinidad on Tuesday.
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