Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the pitch critics after India’s 24-run loss to the West Indies in the fourth T20I of the five-match series in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14.
Speaking to JioHotstar after India’s loss in the fourth T20I, Gavaskar asserted that the West Indies bowlers made quite a few errors by bowling too many full tosses during Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy’s partnership.
“Even the West Indies bowlers made quite a few errors while the partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish was developing; they bowled too many full tosses. We often talk about pitches and blame them, claiming they offer no assistance to the bowlers. But if you bowl full tosses, the pitch isn’t to blame,” Gavaskar said.
“Only later, when they bowled the right length or delivered yorkers, did they find success,” he added.
After batting first, the visitors posted a whopping total of 247/3 in 20 overs, thanks to Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 with four fours and nine sixes. Despite getting off to a good start, India got bundled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, losing by 24 runs.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after India’s loss, opening batter Sanju Samson reckoned that Tilak Varma’s dismissal turned the game upside down for them.
“We were chasing a score around 250, so we can’t really anchor the innings. So, we had to go from ball one, and that’s what everyone tried to do. Till Tilak and Reddy were batting, we were still in the game. Needing 12-13 runs per over, I think the game was still on,” Sanju Samson said at the post-match press conference.
“The turning point of the match was when Tilak got out. We were closing the game. We were scoring those 10-20 runs per over really nicely. Reddy and Tilak were taking the pressure moments and were batting really well. Till that moment we were in the chase,” he added.
