WI v IND 2023: “Bowling changes looked a bit confused,” Abhinav Mukund critical of Hardik Pandya’s captaincy in 5th T20I

India conceded the series by losing the fifth and final T20I to West Indies.

By Salman Anjum - 14 Aug, 2023

Former India opener Abhinav Mukund was critical of Hardik Pandya’s captaincy in the fifth and final game of the T20I series against West Indies in Florida on Sunday (August 13).

India suffered a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies in the fifth T20I and ended up conceding the series 3-2.

Speaking on Jio Cinema, Mukund questioned Hardik Pandya's bowling changes, calling it a little confused.

The India captain’s call to not bowl Akshar Patel in the powerplay baffled Mukund despite their win with the same formula in the penultimate T20I.

"Hardik Pandya's bowling changes looked a bit confused. And I say confused because I think the rain played a part in choosing who was going to bowl in the powerplay. I would have started with Akshar Patel which was the winning formula in the last match. Akshar Patel should have started the bowling with the new ball with Arshdeep Singh," Mukund said during the rain delay in West Indies’ innings.

"Personally, I would not have changed things too much from the 4th T20I. I think India were worried about the bad weather cutting 5 overs of play," he added.

Coming to the match, the Men in Blue posted 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first. Suryakumar Yadav top scored with 61 off 45 balls and no other batter managed to touch the 30-run mark.

In reply, West Indies rode on opener Brandon King’s unbeaten 85 off 55 balls and wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran’s 35-ball 47 to overhaul the target with two overs to spare.

By Salman Anjum - 14 Aug, 2023

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