India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended the team’s decision to play Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel in the Super 8 match against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday. The former Dutch batter said Sundar was played ahead of the team’s vice-captain because they were looking at matchups and wanted Rinku Singh as the eighth batter.
Sundar returned with figures of 0-17 in the two overs he bowled against the Proteas. Furthermore, the left-hander was dismissed after scoring a run-a-ball 11. After India’s 76-run loss, many experts and fans questioned the team’s decision to play Sundar ahead of Patel.
Ryan ten Doeschate said in the post-match press conference, “We spent so much time deliberating about the XI the last couple of days. And I guess the only way that it sort of didn’t play into our hands is we did have the ideal start like we did today, getting Quinton [de Kock] and [Ryan] Rickleton out so early. We were kind of looking at match-ups more in the middle. And then, obviously, someone has to give way.
“So, do we leave a batter out and get another bowler in? in hindsight, that looks like the right decision. At the time, we felt we needed Rinku as an eighth batsman, and the decision was based around there. But certainly, it’s not to take anything away from Axar and his leadership and how important he is to the team,” the former Netherlands cricketer explained.
Ten Doeschate admitted India was not at their best and they are very disappointed with their mundane performance.
“Very disappointed in the performance. But when you set out to win a World Cup, don’t expect someone to come deliver the World Cup to you halfway through the competition. We understand we’ve made a lot of mistakes tonight. You probably are allowed one mess up in this phase of the competition. And we’ve messed up on a grand scale.
“Now, the onus is on this group of guys to turn around and put in two solid performances against Zimbabwe and West Indies,” he concluded.
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
