The clock is ticking for Team India. Decisions crucial to the squad composition for the forthcoming high-profile tournament are due. This urgency makes the recent Caribbean expedition an even more critical platform for players to showcase their mettle.
In this cricketing saga, Ishan Kishan emerged as a shining knight, slamming three consecutive half-centuries and clinching the Player of the Series title. Shardul Thakur and Mukesh Kumar demonstrated their pace prowess, while Kuldeep Yadav spun his web as lethally as ever. However, amid these sterling performances, a few players faded into the backdrop, failing to capitalize on the opportunity presented.
Let’s throw the spotlight on three Indian players who stumbled during the West Indies ODI series.
#3 Ruturaj Gaikwad
Image Source – TimesofIndia
This might seem a bit stern. Gaikwad, who had been a silent spectator for the first two ODIs, found himself in the hot seat for the decider, albeit at an unfamiliar No. 3 spot. Though he had scarce experience in the format, the stage was well set for him by Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill.
Despite the favourable batting conditions in Tarouba, Gaikwad struggled at the crease, hardly finding the sweet spot of his bat. His moment of connection was short-lived, as he edged off immediately. Gaikwad will have more opportunities to cement his place, but a robust performance in the decider could’ve changed his narrative.
#2 Umran Malik
Having played 10 ODIs and claimed 13 wickets, Malik stepped into the West Indies series after four wicketless outings in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). His performance in the Caribbean, however, didn’t witness a significant upswing.
Image Source – Sports.ndtv
Malik, despite his high-speed deliveries and uneven bounce occasionally catching the Windies off-guard, was generously served boundaries. His mediocre display saw him being replaced by Jaydev Unadkat, making a comeback in ODIs after nearly a decade.
While the team’s utilisation of Malik can be debated, the onus also falls on the 23-year-old to enhance his consistency. The selectors hoped he would be a game-changer in the World Cup, but he let the golden opportunity slip away.
#1 Suryakumar Yadav
Image Source – ICC Cricket
With a dismal ODI form preceding the West Indies series, Suryakumar Yadav was under tremendous pressure to silence his critics. Known for his match-winning T20I performances, the belief in his abilities to turn the tide was still intact.
However, Suryakumar’s Caribbean tour didn’t yield the desired results. He managed to score only 19, 24, and 35 in the three matches. While his batting display in the final ODI wasn’t particularly abysmal, he was far from his usual self. His struggle against left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was evident.
With Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant nursing injuries, Suryakumar had the perfect opportunity to make his case for a place in the first-choice ODI side. However, his performance arguably fell short of expectations.
