India’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean and the USA came to a disappointing end with a T20I series defeat to West Indies. In the decider, West Indies emerged victorious, thanks to a stunning chase led by Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King. Despite Suryakumar Yadav’s heroic innings, India failed to find their rhythm and suffered a collapse in their lower order. Let’s dive into the details of the match and analyze what went wrong for India.
King and Pooran Shine in a Superb Chase
West Indies lost an early wicket but quickly recovered as Pooran and King came together to construct a remarkable partnership. The duo displayed sensational hitting, completely throwing India’s bowlers off balance. Pooran, in particular, enjoyed a charmed life with a slice of luck and made the most of it by unleashing a barrage of boundaries and sixes. King, on the other hand, played a composed innings and reached his half-century before a lightning warning interrupted the game. After the resumption, West Indies comfortably chased down the target, securing an eight-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare.
Tactically Flawed Bowling Display
India’s decision to play six bowlers, including Hardik Pandya, was intended to counter challenging situations. However, it seemed like a tactical mistake against Pooran, who capitalized on the bowlers’ inconsistencies. Mukesh Kumar, known for his ability to swing the new ball, was underutilized. Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal were also brought on at unusual times, allowing the West Indies batsmen to dominate. The only bowler who managed to contain the opposition to some extent was Kuldeep Yadav, who varied his pace and lengths effectively.
India’s Recovery and Subsequent Collapse
After losing two quick wickets, India found hope in the partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. They launched a counterattack, with Varma taking Alzarri Joseph to task, hitting him for boundaries with audacious strokes. Suryakumar, too, played with elegance and aggression, scoring runs all around the ground. However, Roston Chase’s brilliance ended Varma’s cameo, triggering a collapse in India’s lower order. Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya fell quickly, leaving Suryakumar as the lone warrior. He continued to fight, launching a few sixes, but the lower-order batsmen failed to provide the necessary support. India’s innings came to an end at 165, falling short of what seemed like a promising total at one point.
Final Thoughts
The decider of the India Tour of West Indies 2023 T20I series was a rollercoaster ride for both teams. West Indies emerged as the deserving winners, displaying excellent batting skills and seizing the opportunity to chase down a challenging target. India, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing, with a lack of lower-order batting depth and some questionable bowling decisions. Despite Suryakumar Yadav’s valiant efforts, India’s batting collapse proved costly. It is crucial for the team to reflect on their performance and address the areas that need improvement before their next series.
