West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard reckons they got to dig deeper and get better with their technique after they lost the opening ODI against India by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Pollard admitted that losing with 22 overs to spare is a heavy defeat.
However, there were some positives for the visitors as Jason Holder scored a fine fifty while Alzarri Joseph picked up two wickets. The Windies took four wickets and Pollard believes they can definitely compete against a potent Indian team if they put runs on the board.
It was West Indies’ top-order which was the major disappointment for the team as they lost early wickets. The tourists were tottering at 78-6 at one stage and in fact, did well to get to 176 runs after Jason Holder scored 57 runs.
India’s spinners – Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal – were brilliant for the home side as they scalped seven wickets between them and breathed down the neck of the visitors’ batters. Thus, there is no doubt that West Indies will need to come up with a better batting performance to challenge the formidable Indian side.
Kieron Pollard said in the post-match presentation, “Losing with 22 overs to spare is a heavy defeat. Same old for us – not being able to bat 50 overs. Have to take stock of that. We’ve got to dig deep, get better in terms of technique, myself included. Credit to the guys turning up. Has been difficult the last couple of days. Getting four wickets there shows if we put some runs we can compete”.
He added, “Toss is a crucial factor. It’s wet out there right now. Tonight it just slid onto the bat. That’s the nature of cricket, we can’t change that. You can say that (Holder should bat higher?). 12 months ago guys would not be saying that. He can bat in any position in the order. Yes, he can bat at six. He has a role to play for us. He came in a crucial scenario and made a crucial fifty. See if we can work on some technical flaws in the next couple of days and see what happens”.
West Indies would want to come up with a more collective effort in the next two ODIs, especially with the bat. The tourists definitely have a lot of talent in their team and it will be about executing their skills.
The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
