Three reasons why India lost the second ODI against West Indies

India will take on West Indies on final ODI on Tuesday at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Indian team suffered a huge setback as West Indies thrashed them in the second ODI at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Walking on the experimental street, Team India got a severe headache for the upcoming games. With the scarcity of ODI’s during the 4-year cycle of two World Cups, Indian fans look worried about Team India’s approach entering in Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 in the next two to three months. West Indies thrashed India by 6 wickets, Batting first India posted only 181 runs on board allowing West Indies to be 1-1 score line. 

Indian fans are finding it hard to digest this loss against West Indies. The same West Indies lost to Scotland, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands and were knocked out of the World Cup qualifiers failing to qualify for the main event. Wounded West Indians have hunted Team India convincingly as the Indian team management is still looking to find answers to settle their playing XI.

There are talks about multiple reasons why team India suffered such a heartbreaking loss, Here we will discuss about the three most important factors causing a major upset.

1. Coach Rahul Dravid’s experimental mode:

Chasing 115 in the first ODI at Kensington Oval, Team India lost 5 wickets under 100 against West Indies spinners. Captain Rohit Sharma batted at number 7 and Virat Kohli didn’t bat in the innings. In the second ODI, both of them were rested, and Spinning all-rounder Axar Patel was promoted to number 4 while Suryakumar Yadav came in to bat at number 6.

All these experiments just before the start of the World Cup look risky. While Dravid has defended his decisions, This is the time India find a settled balance in their squad and Playing XI rather than trying on many things. 

2. No Proper Planning

If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were to be rested during the ODI series, and management wanted to try on things before the start of the Asia Cup, Why were they travelling with the squad to play the ODI series in first place? This is one question that remains unanswered.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both need some game time in the middle in 50 overs format as the frequency of the ODIs has gone down when teams are prioritising more of test cricket and T20 cricket. The Asia Cup will not be an easy tournament and can’t be seen as a preparatory tournament for anyone looking to make it in the World Cup squad. 

3. Poor Application by batters 

In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, youngsters had a chance to make their case strong for the future. But poor application against West Indies bowlers made them commit mistakes and gift their wickets. Apart from Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, the middle order composed with the likes of Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav looked under pressure against West Indies spinners leaving a worrying sign for Indian fans.

In the worst-case scenario if Top batters fail to put up big total on the board, then the Indian batting lineup looks in disarray. Rather than answering, this series has raised many more questions in front of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.