India’s T20 Vulnerabilities Laid Bare by West Indies Ahead of New Zealand Series
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Honours Even As Rain Interrupts India vs West Indies T20I Series Decider
India were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in their five-match T20I series against West Indies after the deciding fixture was washed out at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The match was reduced to nine overs after a delay to the start. After being asked to bat, the Men in Blue stormed to 118/4 in 7.4 overs, but another downpour forced both teams off and ultimately led to the match being called off as the visitors could not start the minimum five-over chase required for a result.
While the abandonment ensured that India’s unbeaten run in bilateral T20I series since 2019 remained intact, their performance has raised concerns ahead of their tour of New Zealand!
Having lost their last three T20I series in India, few gave the Windies - ranked seventh in the T20 world standings - a chance in this tour, but Shai Hope and co stretched India throughout, and certainly had a chance of edging the decider over the weekend.
The biggest questions now being asked of India revolve around their bowling attack. In the final match of this series, they were forced to call up 36-year-old Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a move that many Indian fans feel was a move of desperation.
Mayank Yadav’s express pace was evident throughout the series, but after going for 0/52 in the fourth T20, selectors opted to drop the youngest for the finale. It also leaves many wondering who the team turns to beyond Jasprit Bumrah, whose minutes are being managed due to injury.
India ODI and Test Squads Confirmed for New Zealand Tour
With the West Indies series now complete, India do not have much time to rest, as they are set to travel to New Zealand for a multi-format series, including five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. The T20I series starts on October 22, and we will be covering every match in our cricket predictions.
The BCCI have announced the limited-overs squads that will head to the southern hemisphere, and the biggest talking point of the selection relates to the omission of veteran pace bowler Mohammed Shami.
Several former Indian players, including Mohammad Kaif, have been left shocked by Shami’s exclusion, especially given the issues seen against the West Indies. Kaif cited a “lack of transparency” from the nation’s selectors, adding that Shami’s domestic performances and previous record for India warrant his inclusion.
