Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes skipper Shubman Gill completely misread the pitch at the toss in the ongoing second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati. After winning the toss for the second consecutive time, Gill chose to bowl first, citing potential movement for the pacers in the first powerplay.
However, things went horribly wrong for his side as the West Indies amassed an incredible 405/7 in 50 overs. It was the first time that the Caribbean side had crossed the 400-run mark in an ODI.
Talking about Gill’s decision at the toss in the mid-innings show on Cricbuzz, Karthik said:
“Shubman has definitely misjudged this pitch. I don’t think there was anything for the pacers from the first over. Shubman said that there might be help for the pacers at the toss without analysing it a bit too much.”
Karthik chose not to be too harsh on the Indian bowlers, given the nature of the pitch, saying:
“They lack experience. But the pitch is so flat that it’s unfair to judge the bowlers too harshly. They could have bowled a little more short of a length than fuller. But you need pace to bowl that length and can’t be bowling in the 130s. So India has its challenges. Jadeja finally picking up wickets is a small win. You need to take positives like that. Kuldeep backed up well after his performance in the first ODI.”
India’s pace trio of Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi conceded 225 runs in 23.5 overs at an economy of almost 10. The two specialist spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, salvaged the innings, conceding 140 runs and picking up four wickets in their 20 overs.
“Not coming good on a flat pitch like this was disappointing” – Dinesh Karthik on Prasidh Krishna
Dinesh Karthik expressed disappointment over Prasidh Krishna’s poor showing in the ongoing second West Indies ODI. As the most experienced seamer of the attack, Karthik believes Prasidh could have delivered better results, having played on similarly flat pitches in the IPL.
The speedster conceded 45 runs off five overs, picking up a lone wicket, and left the field midway through the innings, failing to complete his 10-over spell.
“Prasidh Krishna is the most experienced pacer in that team. Not coming good on a flat pitch like this, with all his IPL experience, was disappointing. So he’ll be having chats with Morne Morkel about closing out overs and bowling defensively.”
Team India will have to pull off their highest successful ODI chase to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
