With just about a year to go for the 2027 ODI World Cup, India’s preparation for the quadrennial event got off on the right note as it posted a 2-1 series win over the West Indies.
Rahul got only one chance and proved why he is so vital to the team, scoring an unbeaten 129, even if it went in vain. There were, however, some warning signs that the team will want to address soon. The big positive was the batting. The top-order set up the series victory, led by skipper Shubman Gill, who scored two centuries, including a double-hundred. K.L. Apart from Kuldeep Yadav in the first match, none of the others looked like they could keep the batters honest or provide timely breakthroughs. The management handed out debuts to Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj, both of whom proved expensive while Mohammed Siraj’s recent struggle continued in the only match he played. Captain Gill admitted as much, saying he would have wanted to see more out of his speedsters.
“Bowling in the PowerPlay and in the death has been hurting us. Going forward, the think-tank needs to quickly identify the right combination for the World Cup and give them enough games to get into a groove, something Gill stressed he wants to do from the next series.
If you don’t get off to a good start in the PowerPlay, it’s not easy to take wickets in the middle overs as we have seen,” said Gill.