Cricket News: Report Card from West Indies- Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer shine
This ODI series allowed a few players to show their worth and perform to keep getting future opportunities. In the Indian team, which is already filled with strong players, the second choices players get a few series only to show that they can be the perfect replacement
Shreyas IyerShreyas Iyer
Indian batter Shreyas Iyer has made a fantastic return to form with the bat in the tour of the West Indies. He has led the way with two successive half-centuries in the series. In the first match, he scored 54 runs in 57 balls, whereas in the second one, he fetched a crucial 71-ball 63. In the second ODI, when India slipped from 48 for no loss to 79/3, the batter forged a 99-run stand with Sanju Samson to help India come back in the game. Shreyas Iyer struggled to have a fifty-plus score under his belt since IPL 2022, as the short-pitched ball has tried to bowl him out across all formats.
As Scott Styris backed him before the commencement of the tournament, looking at his performances, he proudly said, "He may not be captain but he has the ability to be a real leader through not only his actions but the way that he carries himself in a team environment as well."
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur had an impressive stint in the first two ODIs claiming crucial wickets. He justified his knack for taking vital wickets in critical situations. In the first ODI, he broke the partnership of set batters Kyle Mayers and Shamarh Brook and set them back to the pavilion. In the second ODI, he dismissed the power-hitters, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell, who were harming the Indian bowling attack.
Akash Chopra said, "Lord Thakur has some powers that he picks up wickets. There was a partnership between Shamarh Brooks and Kyle Mayers. But then you got wickets, not one but two, and who takes those wickets, who dismisses Brooks and Mayers - Lord Thakur. Did those wickets fall on deliveries that deserved a wicket, it may not be the case". He added, "Shardul hurts the opposition's heart."
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill's comeback as an opener in the international format against West Indies was a reminder of India's enviable bench strength. While in the first ODI, he dominated the proceedings with 53-ball 64 in the presence of Shikhar Dhawan, who, on the flip slide, was playing with a defensive approach at the start; in the second ODI, losing Dhawan early, Shubman Gill played responsible innings to score 43.
Witnessing both the innings, former New Zealand all-rounder, Scott Styris heaped praise on him and said, "When he (Gill) plays for India at the top, I expect that average to be a lot higher because he is such a classy player. There are very few bigger fans than me of Shubman Gill. I have been very vocal about that over the last couple of years. I think he has the skills and the cricket nous to be one of the world's best."
Axar Patel
Returning to One Day Internationals after a wait of 5 years, the all-rounder has made a strong case for claiming his stake for playing XI by powering India to a series win.
"Signed, sealed and delivered by Axar Patel," quoted West Indies commentator Ian Bishop after Axar Patel smashed a full toss from Kayle Mayers to pull off a thrilling win. With 35-ball unbeaten 64, he looks to have overtaken Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya in the format. Apart from his performance with the bat, he has been an economical wicket-taking bowler for India. For someone likely to get a chance in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, he has presented his strong case, utilising his opportunity to the fullest.
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