Shocking defeat against WI rings alarm bells before world cup. Is Indian team experimenting too much?
West Indies in the second ODI at Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, their first loss to Windies since 2019, has sparked debates over the team's experimentation with its batting line-up. During the first ODI, skipper Rohit Sharma batted at No. 7, a position he hasn't occupied since 2011.
Former captain Virat Kohli didn't bat at all. In the second ODI, both Rohit and Virat were rested, and all-rounder Axar Patel surprisingly walked in at No. 4.
While the intention was to try out new players ahead of the ODI World Cup against a weaker West Indies team that hasn't even qualified for the World Cup, critics question why the star duo was picked for the ODI series in the Caribbean in the first place. Additionally, experimenting extensively with the batting line-up so close to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India (in October/November) is being debated. Some experts believe that giving game time to other batsmen in the squad was necessary, including Rohit, who recently found form in the two-Test series but has struggled in ODIs.
In the first ODI, India surprisingly chose to bowl first, hoping for useful batting practice while chasing. However, the decision backfired as West Indies were skittled out for a mere 114 in 23 overs on a challenging pitch. Former India players criticized the selectors for not sending a young team to gauge how players handle international cricket's pressure.
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