India's ultra-defensive batting approach in the middle overs had come in for a lot of criticism in the match against Afghanistan and the ongoing match against the West Indies. Veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni, especially, has faced a lot of flak for his inability to rotate strike.
Former swashbuckling India opener Virender Sehwag was quick to point it out on Twitter today, after India could manage only 268/7 against the West Indies in 50 overs.
Known for his straightforward batting and views, Sehwag expressed unhappiness with India's defensive mindset against spinners during the middle overs.
Rashid Khan had gone for 25 in 4 overs , gave away only 13 in his next 6 and today Fabian Allen had given 34 in 5 overs, only 18 in next 5. Can't be so defensive against the spinners.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 27, 2019
He cited the examples of Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Fabian Allen of the West Indies. Interestingly, Khan was taken to the cleaners in the previous match against England, becoming the most expensive bowler in World Cup history.
Though left-arm spinner Allen did not pick up any wickets today, he was instrumental in keeping the Indian batsmen on a tight leash during the middle overs. In fact, had West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope not messed up an easy stumping chance of Dhoni off Allen when he was on eight, things would have been quite different for India. This was another left-arm spinner after Mitchell Santner and Shakib Al Hasan, who has now troubled Dhoni with his wicket-to-wicket bowling.
India played out 152 dot balls against Afghanistan. They did worse today, with 163 dot balls.
Dhoni managed to make remain unbeaten on 56 off 61 balls today, courtesy 16 runs in the final over bowled by Oshane Thomas.
It was Pandya, whose 46 off 38 balls took India past 250-run mark after skipper Virat Kohli (72 off 82 balls) scored his fourth half-century.
