The Indian cricket team continued their exceptional run of form with a commanding five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the opening ODI of the series at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Following their recent Test series triumph, the Indian side looked determined to maintain their momentum in the limited-overs format.
Ishan Kishan emerged as the standout batsman, smashing a quickfire 52 off just 46 balls, leading the team’s charge as they efficiently chased down a target of 115 runs in only 22.5 overs. Kuldeep Yadav‘s mesmerizing bowling performance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match title, finishing with an impressive 4 wickets for a mere 6 runs. Ravindra Jadeja’s three-wicket haul further showcased India’s bowling prowess.
However, amidst the team’s success, a cloud of controversy loomed over the exclusion of Sanju Samson. Despite being called up for the West Indies tour, Samson found himself sidelined once again, raising questions about Rohit Sharma’s selection choices. The young wicketkeeper-batsman was expected to stake his claim for a spot on India’s World Cup roster during the ODI series, but he faced disappointment as Ishan Kishan donned the gloves and Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as the specialist batter.
Fans Disappointed
The decision left fans infuriated, and they expressed their discontent with Captain Rohit Sharma’s post-game statement. Rohit defended the team’s selection, stating that he wanted to provide game time to the ODI players who were part of the squad. However, fans were quick to point out the inconsistency in his words, as Suryakumar Yadav continued to struggle and failed to make an impact with the bat yet again.
Suryakumar Yadav’s recent form had been underwhelming, including a peculiar run of three consecutive ducks earlier in the year, and his performance in the opening ODI added to the frustration of fans. While he managed a brief cameo, his 19 runs off 25 balls fell short of the expectations that surround him as a talented middle-order batsman.
Sanju Samson’s absence from the playing XI raised eyebrows, given his previous injury and the opportunities he missed earlier in the year. Fans believed that this series was his last chance to secure a place in India’s World Cup squad, especially in the absence of Rishabh Pant.
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