'That is India's biggest weakness in T20I cricket': Legendary cricketer criticises team

HYDERABAD: Losing a T20I series at home is a rare occurrence for the Indian cricket team. India had not lost a single T20I series on home soil since 2019. However, the team has already suffered two defeats in the ongoing series against the West Indies. Following a 24-run loss in the fourth match, the five-match series is now level at 2-2.

Ahead of the series decider on Saturday, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has warned that Indian batters need to take greater responsibility, particularly while chasing targets. He made the remarks during an interaction with JioStar.

"The first thing the Indian team needs to improve is the way it approaches run chases. The batting line-up must show greater responsibility. The team cannot win if the batters do not take responsibility. On a pitch with dew, the batters should have dominated with the bat. The team failed to display the kind of performance expected from a side that has won two consecutive T20 World Cups," Gavaskar said.

He also pointed out that the other batters failed to capitalise on the good start provided by Sanju Samson. "Sanju gave India a good start, but the other batters could not make the most of it. Abhishek Sharma's performance was poor. That innings was not up to his standards. Ishan Kishan fell into Keemo Paul's trap. Shreyas Iyer has also failed to produce a strong performance since scoring his century," he said.

"I know the bowling was poor, but the current bowlers do not have enough international experience. They will concede runs. They can learn to avoid giving away boundaries only through experience," he added.

The West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Batting first, the visitors posted a formidable 247 for three before bowling India out for 223. Keemo Paul played a crucial role in the West Indies' victory, taking five wickets at a decisive stage of the match. He dismissed the in-form Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in his very first over (the fifth of India's innings), turning the match in the visitors' favour.