Move Over 'BazBall'! Team India Creates History With 'DravBall' In 2nd Test Against West Indies

24.07.2023 - 04:37 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian cricket team re-wrote the Test record books following a rare display of ultra-attacking long-format cricket on day four of the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain on Monday, becoming the team with the highest team run-rate in a Test inning lasting a minimum of 20 overs.

While England drawing polarising reactions from Test cricket lovers, and purists with their 'Bazball' school of cricket, which focuses on positive and attacking gameplay and the need to achieve clear results, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid seemed to have taken a leaf from England's book to present to fans what could be the first exhibition of 'Dravball'.

In their second innings, the Indian team went into white-ball cricket mode and smashed 181 runs in just 24 overs before declaring the innings.

India scored their runs at a run rate of 7.54, the highest in Tests by a team during an inning lasting at least 20 overs. They broke the record of Australia, who had scored 241/2 in just 32 overs against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017.

cricket India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team 2023 West Indies vs India Test Rohit Sharma Rahul Dravid Brendon Maccullum Spain Australia India Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan

India meet the West Indies in the third and final ODI at Trinidad on Tuesday with the series on the line. While the visitors won the opening game, the hosts restored parity in the following match-up with a six-wicket win. India rested skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the previous match and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels they should continue experimenting if the management thinks that's the way forward. “If you were to look at the series for experiments, why stop? If you're going in with the philosophy that ‘I am going to try a lot of cricketers, I'm going to give chances to the players who haven't gotten enough game time.' Why change? You've done it in the first game, you've done it in the second game. Just give more opportunities to the players who haven't gotten enough in the past,” said Aakash Chopra on JioCinema.

Watch: Rested Virat Kohli Turns 'Water Boy' For Team India vs West Indies. Internet In Awe

The Indian playing XI for the second ODI against West Indies in Barbados on Saturday had a different look as regular captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were not part of it. Hardik Pandya stood in for Rohit, the skipper. "Few questions need to be answered for us, so Virat and Rohit are resting. They can be fresh for the third ODI. The way we bowled was impressive. The way we caught was great, it changed the momentum. I think when you get someone out for 115, it's a good effort from the bowlers. Our catching was impressive, but we can improve in certain areas. Instead of losing five wickets, we could have lost only two wickets and finished the last game. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel come in for Rohit and Virat," stand-in captain Hardik Pandya said at the toss.

Watch: Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal Indulge In Banter During 2nd ODI vs West Indies. Video Is Viral

On a day when India aspiring batters, in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to capitalise on a great opportunity, there was little to cheer up the visitors in Barbados at the second ODI against West Indies on Saturday. However, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja lightened up the mood as they indulged in banter in the rain-hit second ODI. During one of the two rain interruptions, Chahal could be seen teasing Jadeja, who had a good laugh.

India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI: Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie Shine In West Indies' Series-Levelling Win Over India

Shai Hope led from the front with an unbeaten half-century as West Indies defeated India by six wickets in the second ODI and bring the three-match series on an even keel in Bridgetown on Saturday. Hope (63 not out; 80 balls) found a fine ally in Keacy Carty (48 not out; 65b) as the duo put together 91 runs (118b) for the fourth wicket to steady their 182-run chase. WI reached the target with 80 balls to spare. In absence of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India's batting looked feeble.

Wasim Jaffer's 'Pathaan' Twist To Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Not Playing 2nd ODI vs West Indies

As Hardik Pandya came out at the toss for the second ODI against West Indies in Barbados, there was anticipation in the air. The stand-in captain then clarified that indeed Rohit Sharma was not playing along with Virat Kohli. India managed to clinch the first match after facing a few challenges. Ishan Kishan performed exceptionally well with the bat to help India chase down a total of 114. The visitors would be keen to clinch the series with a second consecutive win.

"No Point...": Twitter Fumes As India Rest Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma In 2nd ODI vs West Indies

The Indian cricket team had two notable absentees in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the second ODI against West Indies. India managed to clinch the first margin after facing a few challenges. Ishan Kishan performed exceptionally well with the bat to help India chase down a total of 114. The visitors would be keen to clinch the series with a second consecutive win.