Former India opener and captain Kri Sirkkanth slammed the Indian bowlers, especially Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi, after they got hammered in the third ODI against the West Indies. This game was played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30.
The West Indies were asked to bat first after losing the toss and saw three batters, John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104), and Amir Jangoo (114), scoring centuries. The West Indies posted their highest score in ODIs and the first-ever score of 400-plus, making 405/7.
For India, Gurnoor Brar was the most expensive bowler, giving away 96 runs in 10 overs for two wickets, while debutant Auqib Nabi went for 84 runs in 8.5 overs. Spinners didn’t fare better as well, with Kuldeep Yadav going for 2/65 and Ravindra Jadeja going for 2/75 in their 10-over spells.
"It was a terrible wicket for the bowlers. It's impossible to play on such a pitch. Gurnoor almost gave 100 runs. He seems like he'll always give 100 runs in his spell. Auqib Nabi has no chance in international cricket. Yes, he's a youngster, but to bowl on such a pitch, he has no scope.
By playing on such pitches, he and Gurnoor Brar will get exposed and lose confidence. That's the biggest mistake the team management is making. India's bowling looks very ordinary, and it's an alarming sign,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
India, however, showcased amazing batting ability, as Rohit Sharma’s 101 and captain Shubman Gill’s 223* and their 255-run opening wicket partnership helped the Men in Blue chase the target in 43.3 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
There was a huge uproar on social media and amongst the experts when veteran batter Mohammed Siraj was benched for the first two ODIs. Srikkanth sarcastically stated that Siraj would be glad he didn’t play in the Guwahati game.
"He's (Siraj) looking clueless from the outside. Although on one side, he might be happy that he didn't play this match on such a wicket. It is also not clear as to why Nitish Kumar Reddy suddenly didn't play this match," said Srikkanth.
West Indies bowlers fared no better, as Jayden Seales went for 78 runs, and Alzarri Joseph went for 86 runs in their 8 overs, respectively. Left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes also went for 73 runs in his 10 overs.
