The team led by all-rounder Hardik Pandya lost another match against West Indies in the five-match T20i series. With the stunning victory, West Indies went 2 – 0 up in the series.
In the 2nd game, after giving a fighting target of 153 team India had a great chance to win the game but some tactical mistakes from Hardik Pandya helped the opposition to snatch victory.
Wrong Batting Order
Questions are rising by many cricket experts and ex-player about the unwanted change in the batting order in the 2nd match. Shuffling the batting order was the first tactical error, Sanju Samson could be promoted up the order than Suryakumar Yadav, in the first game he batted at number six, in the second game he batted at 5 and both are not preferred positions for Sanju Samson. Surya Kumar could have been better at number 6.
Overconfidence of Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya picked two wickets in his first over but after that over he leaked so many runs. In his four overs, he went for 35 runs and picked up three wickets. Instead, he could give the ball to Axar Patel who could pick wickets and restrict the flow of runs in the middle overs.
Did not give a single over to Axar Patel
photo credit: Twitter
This is one of the biggest mistakes of the Indian Captain, Axar is someone who does not bowl loose balls and is economical as well. He always bowls tight lines. West Indian Bowler Akiel Hoosain was very effective against Left-handed batsman Tilak, so Axar Patel could be a great match-up for Nicholas Pooran who was in great touch. Yashasvi Jaiswal could have been a better option if you included Axar as a pure batter in the playing 11.
Not using Chahal’s remaining over
Photo credit: Twitter
Not giving 18 to the wrist spinner turned the situation in favor of West Indies because he bowled beautifully in his spell, especially in the 16 over where he got two set batters of the opposition team. The 16-over bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal pulled back the slipping game after a great inning of Nicholas Pooran. The result of the match could have been different if he gives 18 or 19 over to the wrist spinner.
In the 2nd match India once again let down and just posted a total of 152 in the first inning, Tilak Verma was the standout batsman for India. In reply, West Indies lost an early wicket but a great inning by Nicholas Pooran snatches the momentum from Team India. In the end, West Indies won by 2 wickets with few balls in hand.