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SPORTS AUGUST 11, 2023 | The Indian Eye 42

INDIA IN THE WEST INDIES

Controversies and questions

even as Men in Blue sweep

the ODI series

Expert says that the India’s tour of West Indies was taken lightly, as it witnessed a lot of

experimentation and chances given to youngsters

OUR BUREAU
Tarouba (Trinidad and Tobago)
ndia won the ODI series against
West Indies by 2-1. A lot of ex-
Iperiments within the squad was
done. Seniors like Virat Kohli and
skipper Rohit Sharma were rested
and youngsters/non-regulars like
Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad,
Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Ya-
dav, Jaydev Unadkat etc., were given
chances to play.
But former Indian batter Mo-
hammed Kaif opined that the In-
dia’s ongoing tour of West Indies
was taken lightly, as it witnessed
a lot of experimentation and
chances given to youngsters, es-
pecially in the ODI leg of the tour
and judgements about the team
should be made from the Asia
Cup, where they should field their
best playing XI.
“This West Indies Tour was tak-
en very lightly and we would not
judge the team based on this tour.
West Indies are struggling a lot. They
could not qualify for World Cup. I Hardik Pandya plays a shot during the 3rd ODI match against West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Tuesday (ANI)
do not know what the team manage-
ment is trying to do but main tour-
naments for me will start with Asia play in Asia Cup, what squad they smash multiple centuries across all The former batter feels
Cup. I would want them to display will have. If you look at West Indies formats of the game. Ishan Kishan will be in the
their best eleven in Asia Cup. Right Tour then 17-18 players are there. “I think Virat Kohli had a rough World Cup squad.
now there is confusion. If Virat and But to make a squad of 15 you need patch but now he has come back to
Rohit had to take a break then they to be sure of your playing eleven,” form. The form which he showed in shan Kishan will be in the squad.
should not have gone. said Kaif to the media on the side- IPL and against Pakistan the shot he I am glad that he has done well.
You send a new team if you lines of ‘Pitchside-My Life in Indian played to Haris Rauf, it was great. IYou need someone who can keep
want to give break to them. West Cricket’ book launch. The Asia Cup form he got after scor- and score runs. For KL Rahul we
Indies Tour was not that big. Our The former batter feels that Vi- ing century against Afghanistan, he need to check his fitness. You need
second team can also beat them but rat Kohli will be a huge factor for has not looked backn since then. So, a back up keeper in the squad and
I would not make any judgements India in the World Cup against any Virat Kohli in form will be a huge Ishan’s form will help when Rahul
now. I will start judging them (Team bowler, with the form he has been in factor against any bowler. I do not Dravid will pick his playing eleven.
India) with the playing eleven they since Asia Cup, which has seen him care who the bowler is,” said Kaif. Continued on next page... >>

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