'Improve the Chase': Gavaskar Blasts India After 23-Run Loss to West Indies
Sunil Gavaskar criticizes India's batting responsibility after a 23-run loss to West Indies in the 4th T20I. Series now level at 2-2.
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has sounded a wake-up call for the Indian Men in Blue following their 23-run defeat to the West Indies in the fourth T20I. As the series heads toward a thrilling decider, Gavaskar pointed a finger at the batting unit, insisting that the team must overhaul how they India chase West Indies totals if they want to maintain their status as a dominant force in world cricket.
Gavaskar's Verdict: Lack of Responsibility
Speaking on 'Cricket Live' via JioStar, Gavaskar did not mince words regarding the batting performance. He emphasized that on a pitch where dew was a factor, India should have displayed the dominance expected of a back-to-back T20 World Cup-winning side.
While Sanju Samson provided a blistering start, Gavaskar noted that the rest of the lineup failed to capitalize. He specifically highlighted Abhishek Sharma's poor knock as unacceptable by his usual standards and mentioned that Ishan Kishan fell easily into the trap set by Keemo Paul. Furthermore, he noted that Shreyas Iyer has struggled to find his form since scoring a century.
"The first thing this Indian side needs to improve is how they chase... The batting unit needs to show more responsibility," Gavaskar stated.
Bowling Struggles and Growing Pains
The match was a nightmare for the Indian bowlers, who "leaked runs like a faucet." West Indies skipper Shai Hope continued his incredible tour of India, smashing his fourth century of the trip (102* off 50 balls), supported by aggressive cameos from Shimron Hetmyer (33 off 12) and Sherfane Rutherford (49* off 26), propelling the Windies to a massive 247/3.
However, Gavaskar defended the bowling attack, citing their lack of international experience. He argued that young bowlers must endure the hardship of being hit for boundaries to truly learn and evolve in the game.
The Match Breakdown: Hope and Heartbreak
Despite the daunting target of 248, India initially looked competitive thanks to Sanju Samson's quick-fire 56 off 22 balls. However, the top order soon collapsed, leaving the middle order to fight an uphill battle.
- The Recovery: Tilak Varma (43 off 25) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 off 20) shared a gritty 70-run partnership that briefly rekindled Indian hopes.
- The Destroyer: Keemo Paul was the star with the ball, ripping through the lineup to claim a five-wicket haul (5/41).
- The Final Blow: The drama intensified in the final over when Arshdeep Singh had to retire hurt after taking a hit to the arm, leaving India 23 runs short.
The Road to the Decider
The statistics paint a worrying picture for captain Shreyas Iyer, as India has now lost five of their eight matches while chasing under his leadership, including losses to Ireland and England.
With the series now locked at 2-2, the final T20I will take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17. Gavaskar’s strategic advice for the decider is clear: India should bat first, aim for a massive total of 240 to 250, and then defend it to secure the series victory.