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"Used To Celebrating Mediocrity": Venkatesh Prasad Rips Into Indian Team

Former Indian cricket team fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticised Rohit Sharma and Co after losing the second ODI match against West Indies in Barbados on Saturday. India struggled to score runs in the absence of star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they were all out for just 181. Earlier, the Indian cricket team also missed out the opportunity to whitewash the hosts in the Test series but rain played spoilsport as the second match of the series ended in a draw. Prasad tweeted that India have been ordinary in white-ball cricket and even called them out for “celebrating mediocrity”.

"Relaxing For Purpose Of Relaxing": Experts Slam Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's 2nd ODI Absence

Only two months to go before the ODI World Cup 2023 begins but the Indian team management is making changes in the team that have left the fans and experts baffling. The absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the second ODI team against West Indies was a big head-scratcher. Many former Indian cricketers found little logic in the management's decision, saying the duo has played little cricket, courtesy of their absence from India's T20I squad. Hence, the decision to leave them out of the playing XI for the second ODI is perplexing.

Watch: Virat Kohli's Gesture Wins Hearts After Young Fan Gives Him Bracelet

Team India's star batter Virat Kohli was seen giving autographs and clicking pictures with some young fans in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their social media handles. On Sunday, the BCCI posted a video of star batter Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma and batter Suryakumar Yadav posing for a few photos and signing autographs. A young fan gifted a bracelet to Kohli. Acknowledging her affection and gesture, the latter wore the bracelet on his right wrist and thanked the young fan for it.

Sanju Samson 'Reluctant Wicket-keeper': Ex-BCCI Selector's "Not Too Harsh" Dig

The Indian cricket team playing XI in the second ODI had a distinct change. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma being rested, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan opened the innings just like in the first ODI. Sanju Samson came to bat at No. 3 while Suryakumar Yadav came to bat at no. 6. There was much expectation from Samson, whose fans have been quite vocal on social media regarding him getting chances. However, the Rajasthan Royals captain could only score nine off 19 balls before being dismissed.

#SackDravid Trends On Twitter After India's Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Gamble Backfires In 2nd ODI

The absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Indian team for the 2nd ODI left many baffled. As the hunt for the perfect team combination for the forthcoming ODI World Cup continues, the fact that the Indian team management decided to rest the two senior-most players -- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma -- didn't go down well with many fans and experts. To make the matters worse, India lost the match to West Indies after only managing to put 181 runs on the board. Seeing the Indian team struggle on Saturday, fans started to target head coach Rahul Dravid on Twitter.

Watch: Sanju Samson Has Got No Clue About WI Star's Spin, Gets Out Cheaply In 2nd ODI

Indian team management's decision to rest skipper Rohit Sharma and premier batter Virat Kohli badly backfired as none of the World Cup hopefuls could cope with the pace, bounce and turn against the West Indies, managing a dismal 180 in 40.5 overs in the rain-hit second ODI on Saturday. Losing five wickets for 23 runs in just 7.2 overs after an opening stand of 90 between Ishan Kishan (55 off 55 balls) and Shubman Gill (34 off 49 balls) became India's undoing after the West Indies skipper Shai Hope opted to bowl.

Why Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Didn't Play 2nd ODI? Rahul Dravid Gives Intriguing Explanation

Hoping to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Team India suffered a shocking loss to West Indies in the second ODI on Saturday. After opting to bat, India stand-in captain Hardik Pandya opted to bat, with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested. Sanju Samson was added into the XI, but failed to make a mark as India were bowled out for 181 in 40.5 overs. Ishan Kishan (55) and Shubman Gill (34) added 90 runs for the first wicket, before the visitors suffered a batting collapse.

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.

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2023 Sport News

"Used To Celebrating Mediocrity": Venkatesh Prasad Rips Into Indian Team

"Relaxing For Purpose Of Relaxing": Experts Slam Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's 2nd ODI Absence

Watch: Virat Kohli's Gesture Wins Hearts After Young Fan Gives Him Bracelet

Sanju Samson 'Reluctant Wicket-keeper': Ex-BCCI Selector's "Not Too Harsh" Dig

#SackDravid Trends On Twitter After India's Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Gamble Backfires In 2nd ODI

Watch: Sanju Samson Has Got No Clue About WI Star's Spin, Gets Out Cheaply In 2nd ODI

Why Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Didn't Play 2nd ODI? Rahul Dravid Gives Intriguing Explanation

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