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Another thing that left large sections of the Indian fan base as well as many former India cricketers scratching their heads was the massive chopping and changing.
Virat Kohli andRohit Sharma were rested for the second ODI and Axar Patel batted at Number 4.
The result of the second ODI also meant that the 3rd ODI on Tuesday now becomes the series decider.
After India’s shock loss in the 2nd ODI, these are some of the things that current and former cricketers had to say:
Hardik Pandya: We didn’t bat like we were supposed to. The wicket played a lot better than the last one. But it’s just that I think barring Shubman, everyone played their shot and kind of got out or hit the fielder directly, and yeah, disappointing, but at the same point of time, many, many more things to learn. To be honest, you want to be going 1-1 to the third game as it’ll be more challenging and exciting.
Rahul Dravid (Getty Images)
Rahul Dravid: We have to try out other people and we have to give other people some chances so that we, you know, in the worst case scenario, at least they have game time behind them. It gives us an opportunity to make some decisions on players. You know, we just felt that honestly, in a series like this, with only two-three matches to go before the Asia Cup, you know, playing and honestly would not have given us, you know, too many answers. But, you know, with the injuries that we have in the NCA and some sort of uncertainty around them, we wanted to give some of the other boys a chance so that if required, then you know they can play
Shai Hope: I’m happy as long as my contributions lead to the win. When things are difficult, you have got to find ways to score quickly. So you have got to run hard, we got twos which helped. Very satisfied, the aim was to get back to the series. We have got to win one more time and need to come back strongly. We have got to put in the effort and today we displayed the right attitude, and need to replicate that in all disciplines. It was a complete performance. We want to tick the boxes and get the right result in the final game.
Venkatesh Prasad (on Twitter): Test cricket aside, India has been very ordinary in the other two formats for quite some time now. Lost ODI series against BAN, SA and AUS. Poor in the last two T20 World Cups. Neither are we an exciting team like England nor brutal like how the Aussies used to be.
Despite the money and power, we have become used to celebrating mediocrity and are far from how champion sides are. Every team plays to win and so does India but their approach and attitude is also a factor for underperformance over a period of time.
Sunil Joshi (to TOI): If you wanted to play a comparatively younger team in this ODI series, then Rohit and Virat should not have been picked for it. Secondly the West Indies have not even qualified for the World Cup, so it doesn’t matter if Rohit and Virat played in this series or not. This series is irrelevant. So, the selectors should have thought about sending a young team to see how the players cope with the pressure of international cricket. This was the perfect time to identify a young captain too.
Rohit and Virat played in the first ODI, didn’t play the second match and now with the series on the line will obviously return for the series-decider. I don’t get the point of all this.
Just look at Shikhar Dhawan’s numbers in white-ball cricket. He will always be an asset in the ODI format, especially in India. His experience and fabulous records in the ICC tournaments shouldn’t be ignored. During my tenure with the national selection committee.
The third and final ODI between India and the West Indies will be played on August 1 in Tarouba, Trinidad. Match start time is 7PM IST.
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