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Former India batter Mohammed Kaif has raised concerns over India’s bowling attack after the team suffered a 24-run defeat against the West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. With the five-match series now level at 2-2, India will look to bounce back in the series decider in Bengaluru on Saturday.
West Indies captain Shai Hope continued his impressive run with the bat, scoring an unbeaten century to help his team post a massive 247/3. India failed to chase down the target despite a quick start from Sanju Samson and were bowled out for 223, handing the visitors a crucial victory.
Kaif was particularly unhappy with India’s bowling performance and questioned whether the current combination was good enough for the team to defend its T20 World Cup title in the future.
Mohammed Kaif Questions India’s Bowling Attack
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif said India’s bowlers were largely responsible for the defeat. He pointed out that a team cannot depend on its batters to win every match, especially in a five-game series.
“The truth here as to why the Indian team lost is because of their bowling. The blame should go to them. 247 is a lot of runs. We lost because we bowled badly. There were too many runs on the board. Also, this is not happening for the first time. What happens in a five-match series is that usually batters win you three games, and bowlers win you the other matches. Here, bowlers are not winning you games at all. You will never win the World Cup with this combination,” Kaif said.
His comments came after India struggled to contain the West Indies batters throughout the innings. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh conceded 104 runs between them in eight overs, while Axar Patel gave away 45 runs in his four overs. Prince Yadav was India’s most economical wicket-taking option among the bowlers, finishing with figures of 1/36.
Shai Hope, Keemo Paul Power West Indies To Victory
Hope played a key role in putting India under pressure, smashing an unbeaten 102 off just 50 deliveries. His innings included nine sixes and four boundaries as the West Indies finished with 247/3.
Sherfane Rutherford provided strong support at the other end, remaining unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls. He hit four fours and three sixes to help the visitors finish with a formidable total.
India needed a strong response with the bat, but the West Indies bowlers kept taking wickets at important moments. Keemo Paul led the attack with figures of 5/41, playing a major role in restricting the hosts to 223.
Samson gave India hope with a quickfire 56 off 23 balls at the top of the order. However, the rest of the batting line-up could not maintain the required scoring rate, and India eventually fell 24 runs short.
India Face Must-Win Challenge In Bengaluru
The defeat has brought the five-match series to a 2-2 deadlock, setting up a decisive final game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
India will need to address their bowling concerns before the series decider, particularly after conceding another big total against the West Indies.
Arshdeep also suffered a blow to his right shoulder from a short delivery by Shamar Joseph during the final over of India’s chase. He subsequently retired out, leaving his availability for the final match a point to watch.