Venkatesh Prasad. (Photo Source: Twitter)
India couldn’t play to their potential in the fifth T20I on Sunday, August 12 as West Indies bagged the five-match series 3-2. After winning the first couple of T20Is, India bounced back to win the next two matches to take the series into a decider in Lauderhill, Florida. However, Romario Shepherd’s four-fer and Brandon King’s 85* off 55 helped the West Indies hand Hardik Pandya his first series loss as captain.
Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad criticised the ‘Men in Blue’ after the series defeat as he mentioned that they have been ordinary in white-ball cricket for a good period of time. The 54-year-old also wanted India to analyse the defeat instead of making ‘silly statements’.
“India has been a very very ordinary limited overs side for sometime now. They have been humbled by a West Indies side that failed to qualify for the T20 WC few months back. We had also lost to Ban in the ODI series. Hope they introspect instead of making silly statements #IndvWI.” Venkatesh wrote on his ‘X’ account.
India has been a very very ordinary limited overs side for sometime now. They have been humbled by a West Indies side that failed to qualify for the T20 WC few months back. We had also lost to Ban in the ODI series. Hope they introspect instead of making silly statements #IndvWI
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023
Hardik Pandya looked clueless: Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad noted that Indian captain Hardik Pandya looked ‘clueless’ during the T20I series and also accused the team of lacking hunger and intensity to win matches.
“India needs to improve their skillset. Their is a hunger & intensity deficiency & often the captain looked clueless. Bowler’s can’t bat, batsmen can’t bowl. It’s important to not look for yes men and be blinded because someone is your favourite player but look at the larger good,” Venkatesh further said in a separate tweet.
India needs to improve their skillset. Their is a hunger & intensity deficiency & often the captain looked clueless. Bowler’s can’t bat, batsmen can’t bowl.
It’s important to not look for yes men and be blinded because someone is your favourite player but look at the larger good
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023
India‘s next assignment is a three-match T20I series in Ireland. Jasprit Bumrah will be making his much-awaited return and will also lead India in the series that begins with the first T20I on Friday, August 18, in Dublin.