3 things India need to fix ahead of 3rd T20I after Ranchi defeat
West Indies levelled the five-match series 1-1 after chasing down 250 in Ranchi with nine balls to spare.
3. Converting starts into match-defining innings
India's top order gave the side a solid platform. Sanju Samson top-scored with 82 off 41 balls at a strike rate of 200.00, Ishan Kishan made 43 off 22 balls and Abhishek Sharma contributed 20 off 12 balls. However, none of those three batters converted their starts into a longer innings. Samson fell as the fourth wicket at 162 in the 14.3rd over, Kishan departed as the second wicket at 139 in the 11.1st over and Abhishek was the first wicket to fall at 42 in the 3.6th over.
Tilak Varma was the only batter to remain unbeaten, finishing on 44 off 18 balls. India's run rate of 12.45 produced a total of 249/5, yet West Indies still surpassed it with nine balls remaining. Had one or two of those early batters batted deeper into the innings, India's total could have been beyond West Indies' reach.
The 3rd T20I gives India an opportunity to retake the lead in the series. Addressing bowling execution, middle-order strategy and the conversion of starts will be key to bouncing back.
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