Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticised the West Indies bowlers after their dismal performance in the first Test against India in Ahmedabad. Sunil Gavaskar remarked that the West Indies pacers appeared more like net bowlers than international-level players.
The West Indies suffered a crushing defeat by an innings and 140 runs at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss and opting to bat, they were dismissed for just 162 runs in the first innings. India then posted a massive 448 before declaring.
In their second innings, the visitors managed only 146 runs, resulting in a humiliating innings-and-140-runs loss. The match concluded in just two and a half days, with the West Indies struggling throughout against the dominant Indian side.
Sunil Gavaskar Criticizes West Indies Bowlers and Batting Line-up
In his Sportstar column, Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back in his criticism of the West Indies pace attack, saying their bowlers looked more like net bowlers than international players. He also questioned their ineffective use of bouncers during the Ahmedabad Test.
“In Ahmedabad, apart from Jayden Seales, the other two bowlers were just trundlers who looked more like net bowlers than international ones. No disrespect intended, but seeing the first bouncer delivered only after half a dozen overs made me wonder, ‘Is this really the West Indies pace attack?’” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.
He added, “Yes, bowling bouncers is demanding, especially on a hot day, but they are a crucial surprise weapon to prevent batters from comfortably advancing onto the front foot.”
Gavaskar also expressed concern over the West Indies’ weakened batting line-up compared to their legendary past.
“For a team that once featured the likes of the Three Ws, Rohan Kanhai, Seymour Nurse, Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge, and Desmond Haynes, there’s no one in the current squad who even comes close to that standard,” he noted.
He went on to remember the greats of West Indies cricket: “Of course, I haven’t forgotten Garfield Sobers, Viv Richards, and the ‘Prince of Trinidad’, Brian Lara. These were once-in-a-century talents, far above ordinary cricketers.”
The criticism comes after the first Test, where no West Indies batter managed a half-century in either innings. Injuries to key pacers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph also weakened the team. The second Test begins on October 10 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with India leading the two-match series 1-0.
