Pooran points to West Indies batting issues as team loses first T20 against India
West Indies Vice-Captain Nicholas Pooran looks at team’s batting as the reason for their loss against India on Wednesday’s T20 international.
India has gone up 1-0 against visitors West Indies in the ongoing T20 international series as West Indies continue to struggle with batting- according to West Indies vice-captain, Nicholas Pooran.
The West Indies, who failed to win a match in the recent ODI series, are still searching for their first win on the tour.
India’s spinners held back the West Indies' big hitters, and then the batters achieved the chase.
Pooran said,
“We can’t really fault the bowlers, to be honest. The batsmen needed to play certain overs in the game a bit smarter.”
“So definitely the batting, the bowlers were extremely in today and we can’t really fault them.”
While Nicholas Pooran had a rough start, being 17 off 19 balls at one stage, he managed to take on India’s leg spinner, taking him for 26 off a mere 12 balls, including three sixes.
He eventually reached his fifty off 38 balls.
Kieron Pollard, who had recovered sufficiently from the knee niggle that had forced him out of the last two ODIs, also did his bit, scoring an unbeaten 24 off 19 balls.
“Good game of cricket overall, getting down to the 19th over was good on the part of the bowlers. If I'm being honest, between overs 6 to 15 we scored too few runs.”
Pollard said.
“We were 15-20 runs short but if you take early wickets you can put them under pressure. But Rohit got off quickly at the start. Of course it's an area we can improve (dot balls) but if you try and hit and get out for 90, the conversation will be different.”
“Those 9 overs for 46 runs, if we had another 15-20 in that block there... it's a matter of setting it up properly. We can dissect it till the kingdom come but we have to execute. Hopefully, come next game, that can happen.”
Jason Holder was unable to play after being hit in the chest yesterday during training, and as result, was advised to sit out today’s match.
However, he is expected to return to the pitch for the 2nd T20I on Friday.
