Former Indian cricketer and analyst Mohammad Kaif has reckoned that the moment when India lost wickets of Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan turned out to be in the West Indies’ favour in the fourth T20I.
Despite getting off to a good start in the 248-run chase, India lost three quick wickets to get themselves into a trouble. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Kaif asserted that India were never able to get back their momentum after that four-over phase.
“The first wicket fell after 60 runs, and that is fine. But you were down three wickets around the 90- run mark, and that changed the match. You lost three in-form batters: Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan in no time. I think that was the big turning point in the match. West Indies made a comeback after that,” Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.
“India had got the start they wanted after Sanju Samson scored a quick fifty. But when those three wickets fell in quick time, India got in trouble. Of course, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy fought a bit and scored towards the end, but India were never able to come back after they lost three wickets in a row,” he added.
Delving into the details of the game, the West Indies posted an imposing total of 247/3 in 20 overs, thanks to Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 with four fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 204.
In the chase, India could score 223 before getting bundled out in 19.3 overs. Sanju Samson (56), Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) were decent enough, but couldn’t take the side over the line. West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul scalped a five-wicket haul.
