Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
India's bowling plans questioned after 24-run loss to West Indies
West Indies beat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad.
The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2, leaving the teams to settle it in the final match.
West Indies scored 247 for three, and India finished on 223 for nine.
Former India bowler Varun Aaron said Kuldeep Yadav should have played, arguing that the Hyderabad pitch suited an extra spinner.
India used Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as its only spin options, while West Indies spinners Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase helped restrict the chase.
Aaron also criticised India's bowling plans, as the team struggled to contain the scoring.
India and West Indies meet in Bengaluru on Saturday, with India's bowling strategy and team selection likely to draw attention.
India lost the fourth T20I to the West Indies by 24 runs in Hyderabad.
The defeat left the five-match series level at 2-2.
Former India pacer Varun Aaron questioned India’s decision to leave Kuldeep Yadav out of the playing XI.
Aaron said the Hyderabad pitch and conditions could have suited an additional spinner.
The teams were due to meet in Bengaluru for the series decider on Saturday.
- Who
- India and the West Indies played the fourth T20I.
- What
- West Indies beat India by 24 runs, leaving the series tied at 2-2.
- When
- October 15, 2026, according to the article’s Hyderabad dateline.
- Where
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India.
- Why
- India’s bowling plans came under scrutiny after West Indies scored 247 for three and India finished on 223 for nine.
Varun Aaron
India's team management
Kuldeep’s selection
Varun Aaron
Aaron said India should have played Kuldeep Yadav, arguing the pitch suited an extra spinner and he could have made a significant difference.
India's team management
The team management left Kuldeep out and kept an unchanged XI.
West Indies scored 247 for three in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad.
India were restricted to 223 for nine, losing by 24 runs.
With the series tied at 2-2, India and West Indies were set to meet in Bengaluru for the decider on Saturday.
- Match result
- West Indies beat India by 24 runs
- West Indies total
- 247 for three
- India total
- 223 for nine
- Series score
- 2-2 after four matches
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Left out of India's playing XI
- India's next match
- Series decider scheduled in Bengaluru
What people are saying
Ultimately, poor bowling plans and a lack of batting awareness cost India the game again. India should have played an extra spinner. Kuldeep should have played on this wicket.
We saw how Motie bowled, varying his pace, and even Roston Chase bowled really well today, apart from that one over. On a wicket like this, with these boundary dimensions, Kuldeep would have been India's point of difference.