'India must reflect on this defeat' - Irfan Pathan analyses India's rare series loss against West Indies

After winning the Test and ODI series against the West Indies, India suffered a huge setback as they lost the five-match T20I series 2-3. Hardik Pandya and Co. came back from a 0-2 deficit with two consecutive wins and would have been confident to script a commendable series-winning comeback. However, that wasn't the case as the West Indies bowled well and the batters played sensibly to take them to victory.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated the West Indies side for their memorable 3-2 series win and also urged the Indian management to analyze the defeat against a lower-ranked opponent.

“Congratulations to the West Indies team on a well-deserved series win! Team India must reflect on this defeat, as losing to a lower-ranked team is indeed worrisome,” Irfan posted on his ‘X’ handle.

Congratulations to the West Indies team on a well-deserved series win! Team India must reflect on this defeat, as losing to a lower-ranked team is indeed worrisome. #INDvWI

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 13, 2023

The ‘Men in Blue’ batted first after winning the toss and lost their young openers quickly. Suryakumar Yadav hit an enterprising 61 off 45 balls to help India post a fighting total of 165/9 in 20 overs. Tilak Varma impressed once again with a swashbuckling 18-ball 27 but failed to convert the start.

Romario Shepherd starred with the ball, taking four wickets while Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein bagged two wickets apiece. In reply, Brandon King, who had been having a quiet series, showed his class with an unbeaten 55-ball 85 to help the team win the match by eight wickets with two overs to spare. The in-form Nicholas Pooran also flourished with a 35-ball 47.

Nicholas Pooran wins the Player of the Series award

Former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran was fittingly adjudged the Player of the Series as he was the most consistent batter for the home side in the series. The 27-year-old scored a century in the final to win MI New York the Major League Cricket title last month. Pooran continued the good form in the T20I series against India as he played some scintillating knocks on tough surfaces.

In the five games, Pooran scored 176 runs in 124 balls at an average of 35.20 and a strike rate of 141.94. His highest score of 67 off 40 balls came in the second T20I in Guyana in which almost all the other batters, from both teams, struggled to find their feet.