India captain Shubman Gill has said the team’s experimentation phase is now over. He wants India to start playing with their preferred World Cup combination as soon as possible.
Gill made the comments after India completed a 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies. India lost the third ODI on October 3, with West Indies chasing 352 runs. Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 162 to guide the visitors to victory.
Despite the defeat, India had already sealed the series after winning the first two matches.
“I honestly don’t think there is that much time to experiment. The combination that we want to play, hopefully we get all the players that are available from the next series and the combination that we would like to play in the World Cup, we want to start playing with that combination,” Gill said, speaking in the post-match press conference.
Gill Defends Kamboj and Auqib Nabi
India had to make changes to their bowling attack during the series. Prasidh Krishna suffered an injury in the second ODI. Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana were also unavailable.
India used the opportunity to test Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi. Kamboj made his ODI debut in the third match after joining the team from an India A game in Puducherry. He finished with figures of 0-82 in nine overs.
Nabi had played in the second ODI. He conceded 84 runs without taking a wicket.
Gill backed both players and said they need time to adjust to international cricket.
“But it’s a little bit harsh on them. It’s not easy to come and be able to deliver straight away. In international cricket, sometimes you require a bit of time. Very few players just come in and start delivering for the team. And I hope that they learn from their mistakes, from the opportunities that they get. Anshul and Auqib are the kind of players who are going to be in the mix a lot. (With Prasidh injured) we had an opportunity to experiment with another player with the series being in the bag. So, we wanted to take that opportunity. And Anshul is someone who can also bat at number 8. And that number is very crucial for us. We don’t know who will be fit at the World Cup. And if we want someone who can bowl and can bat a bit at number 8, Anshul can do the job. And even Auqib can bat a bit and do the job,” he said.
Gill also admitted that India’s fielding was below expectations.
“I think in the whole series we dropped around seven catches if I’m not wrong. And even in the field today we gave away many runs, we were quite sloppy. We need to be at the peak of our powers especially when we’re in the field. It’s not easy for the bowlers so the fielders can help a lot and if the wicket is not helping much for the bowlers and our fielding being substandard, it’s a difficult job for the bowlers,” Gill said.
