India took a 2-0 lead in the ODI series against West Indies.
India may have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead over the West Indies in the ongoing three-match ODI series, but there are still flaws, most notably in their batting.
India was reduced to 43/3 before KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav put on a 91-run stand to keep the innings alive. However, after the alliance ended, India lost their way and only managed 237/9 in 50 overs.
The idea of Rishabh Pant opening the innings and Rahul batting at No. 4 did not appeal to former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who believes both players should be used in different roles in the team.
The batting legend also bemoaned the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, saying that Indian team was missing his ability to score runs, hit big shots and take important wickets, apart from his amazing fielding.
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“To be honest with you, I was surprised to see Rishabh Pant up the order because I have always felt that he is probably better off at 6 or 7, depending on how the team has gone. He should be the finisher. My feeling is that Rahul will partner Rohit as the opener, and Surya would probably bat at No. 4,” Gavaskar said mid-innings of the 2nd ODI.
“Then maybe at 5, you will have somebody like a Rishabh Pant and then a Washington Sundar. Don’t forget, India is feeling the absence of Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, 8. He was scoring so many runs and hitting the big shots. Brilliant fielder and picks up wickets in the middle order. He is being missed greatly by this Indian team.”
Rahul's run-out, which occurred as a result of a minor mix-up between him and Suryakumar, drew Gavaskar's ire.
When Rahul came back for the second run, he paused and stuttered for a brief moment, which was enough for him to be caught short of the crease. Gavaskar analyzed the runout, pinpointing the exact moment when the runout occurred.
“You could perhaps sense that Rahul was looking at the fielder, and when he started that second run and looked, he thought that Surya was not coming back for the second. Surya had taken that first run pretty casually. He hadn’t rushed for it. And when Rahul was halfway down, Surya had barely left the batting crease to come back for the second. That is where that caused a little bit of confusion in Rahul’s mind,” said the legendary India batter.
(Star Spots inputs)