Former opener Aakash Chopra reckons that the Indian management must keep a close eye on the team’s bowling stocks with the 2027 World Cup in mind. Admitting that the Men in Blue have identified their first-choice bowlers for the ICC event, he opined that India might have to pick a couple from the fringe players as well.
Owing to availability and injury issues, Team India fielded a second string bowling attack against the West Indies in the recently-concluded three-match series. They handed debuts to Auqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and all-rounder Naman Dhir. While India won the series 2-1, their bowling failed to make an impact.
During a discussion on Cricinfo, Chopra stopped short of calling India’s bowling performance against the West Indies a cause for concern. He stated:
“Can’t be too critical considering how ridiculously high scoring series this has been. But yes, there is Prasidh Krishna, played one and a half games. [Mohammed] Siraj played a game. This is your second string bowling attack. But this is what you have. And you might need a couple of them come the World Cup. So, this is not worrying. But yes, you want to keep an eye on how the stocks are developing.”
West Indies chased down a target of 352 in the third ODI against India in New Chandigarh on Saturday, October 3. Kamboj conceded 82 runs in nine overs on debut, while Gurnoor Brar registered figures of 1-64 from 9.1 overs.
“No excuses for a slightly mediocre fielding effort” – Aakash Chopra after 3rd IND vs WI 2026 ODI
India dropped as many as three catches in the third ODI against the West Indies on Saturday. They were also poor in the field in Guwahati. Skipper Shubman Gill was critical of India’s fielding effort in the series. Chopra admitted that dropped catches could cost India big time. He said (via the aforementioned source):
“A batter will have a bad day. Bowlers might actually find it difficult because of the conditions and what not. But there are no excuses for a slightly mediocre fielding effort. If you’re dropping catches, you will invariably concede lots of runs. Dropped catches often end up losing you games. So, that is one thing that will definitely be on India’s radar that you need to get that right.”
Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the ODI series, India and the West Indies will now clash in a five-match T20I series from October 6 to October 17.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
