Captain Shubman Gill has acknowledged that although India secured a series win over West Indies, certain aspects of the team’s performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) need attention, particularly their fielding and bowling in the death overs. With the World Cup looming next year, there’s room for improvement, Gill noted.
“I feel sometimes we are not really clear whether we are attacking or defending, especially when we are bowling in the death overs,” Gill remarked during the presentation. He emphasised the uncertainty around field placements when the opposition is several wickets down, pointing to a need for better clarity.
India, missing key bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for most of the series due to various commitments, experimented with different combinations. Coach Gautam Gambhir also alluded to this testing phase, hinting at the team’s strategy to explore potential line-ups.
During the series, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was substantially absent, bowling only in one match and skipping the death overs altogether. In New Chandigarh, newcomers Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, and off-spinner Naman Dhir shouldered the responsibility in the final overs. Meanwhile, debutant Auqib Nabi managed to squeeze the West Indies’ score towards the end in a high-scoring match in Guwahati. Both sides’ bowlers faced difficult conditions, but the experience could be invaluable as the World Cup nears.
In New Chandigarh, after opting to bat, India initially stumbled to 4 for 2 but managed to post a commendable 351. Reflecting on the series, Gill expressed a measured satisfaction with the team’s overall performance but admitted fielding lapses, with six or seven catches dropped, could be worrisome as they prepare for the World Cup. “You want your fielding to be top-notch,” he stated.
Another challenge emerged with over rate penalties. After the 46th over, India was penalised, which left them with only four fielders on the boundary instead of five. Gill mentioned: “I think the game was in control… Had we… not been short on the overs, I think the game might have gone to the last over.”
Gill, who was named Player of the Series, contributed significantly with 334 runs and an impressive double-century in the series finale. However, he expressed disappointment at his early dismissal in the match on Saturday, acknowledging the quality of Jayden Seales’ delivery that led to his exit. “I mean, you’re always disappointed whenever you get out early, but I think today I don’t think there could have been much that I would have done on that ball,” he reflected.
India’s cricket fans will hope the team evolves from these learnings to put forth a robust challenge in the upcoming World Cup.
