After registering a comprehensive five-wicket victory in the series opener, Team India decided to do a bit of experiment with their playing XI in the second ODI against West Indies in Barbados on Saturday (July 29).
The visitors rested their two senior-most players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and included Samson and Akshar Patel in the line-up. As it turned out, the team led by Hardik Pandya suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies.
Asked to bat first, the Men in Blue got off to a brilliant start as the duo of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill added 90 runs for the opening wicket. However, the tourists slumped from 90/1 to 113/5 before eventually getting bundled out for 181 in 40.5 overs.
Speaking on Jio Cinema, former selector Saba Karim lashed out at the lack of planning from the Indian team management before adding that time is running out to find proper back-up options for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
"I'm just trying to put my mind to all these changes that we have seen. Last game one can understand that's what Rohit said that he wanted to try out all these players who have been included in the one day side. OK, one can go ahead with that. But now in this game you had another opportunity to find the right kind of balance to find the right batting order. One is not able to see that," Saba Karim said.
"KL Rahul if he comes in, what number he will bat? He'll be number five. So who's your number five now if you're looking for a backup wicket keeper as he said, Suryakumar Yadav last game came at number three, today at number four. Akshar Patel, I mean, what are we doing? What kind of combination are we looking at? And time is running out for us," he added.
"Number three Sanju Samson. Last game Suryakumar Yadav walked in at three. So now you're looking at Suryakumar as a finisher, possibly, and Sanju Samson as a top order replacement. You've clearly made your intent clear in terms of Ishan Kishan opening the batting. Whereas you would not have any place for him at the top of the order," Mukund argued while speaking on the same show.
Coming to the match, India suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies in the second ODI.
In the chase, captain Shai Hope led West Indies from the front, scoring 63 not out off 80 balls to take his team over the finishing line in 36.4 overs. Keacy Carty also made a vital contribution of 48* in 65 balls.
The series-decider will be played in Trinidad on Tuesday (August 1).
