IND vs WI: India’s decision to rest Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the second ODI against West Indies backfired spectacularly as the visitors suffered a humiliating six-wicket defeat.
Also Read: Stuart Broad Retirement from Test Cricket: A Legend of the Game Steps Down
The move to give the two star batsmen a break was seen as an opportunity to give some of the fringe players a chance, but it ultimately proved to be a costly one. India’s batting lineup looked toothless in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and they were bowled out for just 181.
The West Indies, in contrast, were led by a superb century from Shai Hope, and they cruised to victory with more than 10 overs to spare.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Dates Announced, Check Here
After the match, India head coach Rahul Dravid admitted that the decision to rest Kohli and Sharma had been a mistake.
“In hindsight, it was probably not the right decision,” Dravid said. “We felt that it was an opportunity to give some of the other guys a chance, but it didn’t work out for us.”
Dravid also said that the team had been planning to rest Kohli and Sharma for the second ODI for some time, but the timing of the decision had been unfortunate.
“We had been planning to rest them for this game for a while,” Dravid said. “But unfortunately, we lost the first game, and then we had to go into this game with a weakened batting lineup.”
Also Read: LPL 2023 Where to Watch: TV Channels, Live Streaming, and Match Timings
The defeat to West Indies has left India’s preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup in a state of flux. The team will now have to rely on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to fire if they are to be successful in the tournament.
“We need Virat and Rohit to be firing,” Rahul Dravid said. “They are our two most important batsmen, and we need them to be at their best if we are to win the Asia Cup.”
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from August 27 to September 11. India will be looking to defend their title in the tournament.
Also Read: Mumbai Police on High Alert: Terrorists’ Plans to Attack Chabad House in Mumbai
