The third and final T20 International here on Sunday lacks any real buzz with the series already wrapped up and despite India looking to try its bench strength, the current West Indies side might find it difficult to make it a contest.
The T20 series was an opportunity for the visitors to make something of the current tour and senior player Denesh Ramdin termed that it was disappointing and credited Kuldeep Yadav’s performance as the key to India’s success.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash, Ramdin said, “We’re disappointed. We’re T20 champs, and we played our first game at the Eden Gardens (where WI beat England in the final of the 2016 World T20), where we were expecting to do well.
“But we didn’t adapt as well as we should have. We didn’t string any partnerships either. T20 banks on momentum and partnerships, and we couldn’t do that.”
He added, “I think Kuldeep played a major part in the Tests, ODIs and T20s. Guys haven’t been able to pick him, and basically he was the trick in the middle overs and unfortunately we couldn’t push on.”
Failing to convert starts
Ramdin explained the team has not been able to capitalise on starts and that has hurt in the series saying, “(Shai) Hope and (Shimron) Hetmyer have had success, to transfer themselves from 50-over mindset to T20 cricket.
“They’ve tried their best, and one needs 10-12 balls to get a start, but they haven’t capitalised. A lot of T20 cricket is about momentum and we haven’t been able to build on it.”
While India has benefited from the IPL and the talent it has thrown, West Indies cricket has been hurt by the mushrooming T20 leagues with senior players preferring that to the national team. However, Ramdin feels that the success of CPL will help Windies cricket in the long-term.
Credit to IPL
“I’d like to state the IPL as an example. Indian cricket is so strong in all formats because of the IPL as youngsters come through the system.
“So in five years, hopefully, our cricket can take off to that next level, because we have some exciting T20 and 50-over players. They’ve played just one CPL tournament, and have already been picked up by Bangladesh, UAE T10 and so on.”
When asked about coach Stuart Law’s impending departure and how it would affect the side’s chances for the 2019 World Cup, Ramdin said, “We’re professional players, so we need to understand our game and then buy into the new coach’s plans.
“Fifty overs is simple in the sense that you need to get starts, build partnerships, score centuries, take wickets up front and in the middle overs. That’s where India has blown us away — by taking wickets in the middle.
“Hopefully, in six months time with the World Cup around the corner, we can deliver something special with the senior guys coming in.”
