Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad launched into the Indian T20I side after it lost the 2nd T20I to the West Indies by 2 wickets on Sunday, August 6 to go down 0-2 in the 5-match series. India, led by Hardik Pandya, have been struggling so far in the series, losing the first two T20Is of the series after ordinary efforts with both bat and ball.
Venkatesh Prasad who had criticised the performances of the Indian white-ball team in the recent past quoted his statement on social media to make his point after India failed to defend 152 in the 2nd T20I against the West Indies.
WI vs IND 2nd T20I Highlights
India, opting to bat first, set a target of 153 runs, with Tilak Varma top-scoring with a 41-ball 51. However, the West Indies team, led by Nicholas Pooran’s impressive 67 off 40 balls, chased down the target with seven balls to spare. Despite a late scare when the West Indies dropped from 126-4 to 129-8, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph managed to secure the win with an unbroken 26-run stand.
The Indian bowling attack, led by Hardik Pandya, who took three wickets for 35 runs, was unable to defend their total. However, the decision not to allow Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final over has been a point of contention. Chahal had a successful game, picking up two crucial wickets in his third over and conceding only 19 runs. His dismissal of Jason Holder and Shimron Hetmyer could have potentially changed the course of the match if he had been allowed to complete his spell.
“Very very ordinary. No point in brushing it aside. After the 2007 T20 World Cup, IPL started and we haven’t won a T20 World Cup in 7 attempts since, making only 1 final. The intensity and hunger to win need to be far more. Yesterday (Sunday), after Yuzi took 2 wickets in the 16th…
“And Yuzi got India back into the game in what was his third over and West Indies 8th down and he didn’t bowl again and No 9 and 10 for WI found the pacers easy to handle. Should be smarter at these moments than just doing textbook stuff,” he added.
While Hardik Pandya expressed disappointment at India’s batting unit, he failed to acknowledge the handling of the bowling unit that added to India’s woes. India picked 6 bowling options but left-arm spinner Axar Patel was not given a single over while Chahal did not finish his quota of 4 overs.
It was the first time since 2016 West Indies managed to win back-to-back T20Is and the hosts will be hoping to seal an unbeatable lead in the series when they take on India in the 3rd T20I on Tuesday, August 8. (India Today)
