Team India lost a bilateral series against the West Indies for the first time since 2016. The Indian team crumbled under pressure after opting to bat first and posting a 166-run target.
Team India, led by Hardik Pandya, aimed for another T20I series victory. Their final clash against West Indies on August 13, held the fate of the five-match series in its balance. With two wins apiece for both teams, this decisive match would determine the series winner. However, it was the Windies who clinched an impressive 8-wicket triumph, sealing the series with a 3-2 scoreline. The overall performance of the Indian side was not satisfactory and they kept on delivering some poor performances throughout the series in the name of the “learning process” and ended up losing the series to West Indies.
Here are the top 3 reasons why Team India lost the T20I series against the West Indies:
Indian Team Lacked Maturity
Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, the Indian cricket team showed a lack of maturity, which was notably apparent due to the absence of senior Indian players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This absence had significant consequences, as India originally fell behind 0-2 in the series. While they managed to level the series afterward, they finally faced a disappointing 8-wicket defeat in the final match.
The opening batsmen struggled, especially with Rohit Sharma missing from the top order. The middle order and lower-middle-order also faced challenges due to the missed presence of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. This absence of key players clearly impacted the team’s general performance during the series.
Inexperienced Pace Bowling Attack
The youthful Indian squad prominently displayed their lack of experience in the bowling department. The absence of Mohammad Siraj and Mohammad Shami played a pivotal role in this scenario. The pace bowling was entrusted to the relatively inexperienced Mukesh Kumar, who was stepping into T20 International cricket for the first time, along with Arshdeep Singh.
The attempt to integrate Hardik Pandya’s role with Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal did not unfold as envisioned. Unfortunately, this experimentation resulted in a notable decline throughout the series.
The Middle Order Failure
Fans were left dissatisfied with Team India’s recent performance in the T20I series against the West Indies. Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, India faced a 2-3 defeat in the series, leading supporters to call for the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The struggles primarily revolved around middle-order batting, which proved to be a significant factor in the series’ losses.
The inclusion of Sanju Samson in the team was motivated by the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup, but unfortunately, he couldn’t make a notable impact throughout the series. The inconsistency wasn’t limited to Sanju alone; even the captain himself, Hardik Pandya, displayed inconsistency in his performance throughout the series. The absence of a reliable lower-order batsman further compounded the challenges, making it tough for the team to perform effectively during critical moments in the matches.
