Live Score
Cricket Teams
Cricket Players
'When a weapon like him can get you wickets, why do you leave it for later?': Ex-India star unhappy with Dhawan's tactic
The former India star spoke in detail about one of the captaincy decisions from Shikhar Dhawan during the second ODI of the series against West indies.
Team India conceded yet another 300+ score against West Indies – this time while bowling first – during the second ODI of the series in Port of Spain. The Windies, riding on a spectacular knocks from Shai Hope (115) and Nicholas Pooran (74), posted a strong score of 311/6 in 50 overs. The WI batters had a great day with the bat as openers Hope and Kyle Mayers (39) gave a solid start. Later, more bigger partnerships followed, notably between Hope and Pooran, who put on 117 runs.
Though Shardul Thakur took three wickets and restricted the run flow to an extent in the final ten overs, Indian bowlers did not have many positives to walk away with. However, one of the main talking points from the Indian bowling innings was the late entry of Yuzvendra Chahal again. The leg-spinner came to bowl in the 17th over of the innings, and former Indian bowler Murali Kartik was not impressed with the decision.
Interestingly, Chahal came into the attack in the same over in the 1st ODI as well.
“The most important thing in the middle overs is to get wickets. And when you have the ability to take wickets, why do you have to wait for (West Indies to go into) T20 mode?” Kartik said on his on-air stint on FanCode.
“I have no issues with Deepak Hooda bowling. It's just that who is your best spinner in the side? And why do you have to wait for him (Chahal)? One of the main reasons why one-day cricket has been a problem is these middle-overs. Because the game keeps meandering away. When a weapon like Chahal can get you wickets, why do you ?” he said further.
Earlier, Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 3/54 in 7 overs. Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda and Chahal got one wicket each. India then chased down the target of 312 with just two balls to spare, winning the second ODI by two wickets and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
