On a record-breaking day in Guwahati, West Indies put up a stellar batting performance, but it still wasn’t enough as India chased down a record 406 in just 43.3 overs to seal the series with a game to spare. West Indies batted their hearts out in the first innings and on a flat deck, managed to get a massive 405, a first 400+ score for them. But on a flat deck and with dew around, it wasn’t enough to defend. There were areas of concern, mainly in the bowling department, and we will analyse them for you here.
Scoring 76 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the back 10 overs pegged West Indies a little bit.Â
West Indies put in an awesome batting display to post 400+ as they dominated the power play and the middle overs phase in style as they amassed 329/3 in 40 overs. With wickets in hand, the expectations were to get to an even larger total. In Guwahati, the aim to score in the last 10 overs should be 100 runs with wickets in hand, as the West Indies had 7 wickets in hand with a set batter, Jangoo, at the crease.
But India made a mini comeback in the last 10 overs, taking 4 wickets and conceding 76 runs. Yes, 405 is still a lot, but there was a boost to the hosts, and they had some momentum going into the break. West Indies should have ideally posted 430-440 looking at the conditions. Having said that, it still would not have been enough, the way India batted and West Indies bowled. We are being extremely harsh and hypocritical here, as this was an area where West Indies could have done better, but still the batters can’t be blamed for everything.
In future, they would look to ace the death overs phase as well, as every phase has its importance and makes a difference to the score. West Indies batters deserve credit with 3 centurions, but in between, some of them missed out, which can happen. So, this is a slight area they need to work on going ahead, but loads of positives from the batting side from both games we can say.
The inability to stop the marauding opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma hurt West Indies.Â
India had to chase a huge score of 406, and the scoreboard pressure should have had a telling on the Indians. But what followed was extraordinary and a massacre from the West Indies’ point of view. India came out all guns blazing in the power play, much like the West Indies, and scored 92/0 in the first 10 overs, similar to the West Indies’ 96/1. It was after the power play that India destroyed the West Indies. The bowling from the visitors was ineffective, to say the least.
Rohit and Gill complemented each other really well till they reached their 80s, after which Gill accelerated and got to his hundred. When the partnership crossed 200 inside 22 overs, West Indies had an opportunity for the first wicket, but Rohit was dropped on 84* by Keacy Carty in the deep off young Vitel Lawes. That was the only chance they got as Gill played a chanceless knock. But West Indies’ premier bowlers went for runs. Yes, the dew did not help them, but it was as pathetic a performance with the ball from the Men in Maroon.
There was no planning whatsoever, and the length balls were dispatched. It was the most uninspiring and bizarre bowling display by the West Indies. Conceding 255 runs in 26.2 overs sealed the fate as the platform was laid. Even after Rohit got out, Gill and Kohli continued the momentum, and India cruised to the win inside 44 overs. West Indies have a lot of soul-searching to do and ascertain where they went wrong with the ball, as 406 in 43.3 overs is just not one.
Tactical calls and the performance of the fast bowlers exposed West Indies.Â
West Indies had a poor night in the field in Guwahati. There were some tactical blunders from captain Shai Hope and coach Daren Sammy. Holding back mystery spinner and 19-year-old Vitel Lawes for 17 overs when India were scoring without any sweat made no sense. Historically, India have struggled against mystery spin, and that could have been an opportunity for the West Indies. But he was introduced late, when the batters were well-set, and dew had come in.
Thereafter, the pace bowlers of the West Indies were pathetic to say the least. Jayden Seales bowled a good first spell but then was taken down by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill in an over. The most disappointing aspect to see was spearhead Alzarri Joseph having a night to forget as he went for 89 runs in 8 overs, and to make it worse, no wickets were taken by him. He is the spearhead of the attack, and we expect a better performance from him. Keemo Paul, the so-called all-rounder in the West Indies team, made 3 off 8 balls with the bat and then, with the ball in hand, gave away 49 runs in 3 overs.
Paul gave away runs at will and bowled numerous wides as he wilted under pressure. Shamar Joseph was slightly better as he gave away 52 runs and picked up 1 wicket in 6 overs. The fast bowlers bowled 25 overs and gave away a whopping 268 runs and picked up 2 wickets. If 268 runs out of 406 are scored in 25 overs, how can we expect the spinners to contain things? These are four premier fast bowlers of the West Indies, and they went on the journey. West Indies will seriously look to address and improve this ahead of the final ODI against India on Saturday.
What Lies Ahead.Â
India lead the series 2-0 and will want to whitewash the West Indies 3-0 when the action moves to the North of India in New Chandigarh in Mullanpur for the 3rd and final ODI of the series. The match is on October 3rd and set to start at 2 PM IST. Can the West Indies inspire themselves and pull one back before the T20I series starts next week? Well, only time will have the answer for it.
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