Sunil Gavaskar Asks The Tough Question As India Fail To Defend 249 Against West Indies In 2nd T20I

Not every day does one witness a T20 match in which over 500 runs are scored. West Indies chased down a record target of 250 against India with nine balls to spare. Sanju Samson was instrumental in India posting 249/5 in 20 overs. But that was only half the story, as Shai Hope scored the second-fastest T20I century by a West Indies batter as his team chased down the target with ease. That brings us to the more important question: Do bowlers have a role in such a situation? The dew did play a part in Ranchi, as West Indies batted second, but India great Sunil Gavaskar believes the Indian bowlers could have done more.

"I thought India would score around 235-240 after a couple of quiet overs. India got nine runs more. So, clearly, the batters are not to be blamed. I don't think they fell short. It is quite clear the bowlers did not bowl the way they should have. In fact, it would be interesting if one were to ask the bowling coach what he was expecting from these bowlers and whether they did it or not," Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Highest match aggregates in men's T20Is

517 - South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2009

501 - India vs West Indies, Ranchi, 2026

499 - India vs England, Mumbai, T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal

496 - India vs New Zealand, Thiruvananthapuram, 2026

489 - West Indies vs India, Lauderhill, 2016

Varun Aaron, who was part of the same discussion panel, said India should have persisted with pace after West Indies were reduced to 2 wickets down in the first over. In the fourth over, India brought on Axar Patel, who conceded 16 runs.

"Giving Axar Patel the fourth over in the Powerplay was absolutely unnecessary because you have two middle-order batters, Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, who are very shaky against the new ball. You should have bowled four overs with pace," Aaron said.

India captain Shreyas Iyer said it was difficult to determine a par score, with the dew factor playing a significant role after the hosts' imposing total of 249/5 was chased down by West Indies in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex on Friday.

West Indies rode on skipper Shai Hope's blistering 45-ball century and Sherfane Rutherford's explosive 84 off 37 deliveries to pull off a six-wicket victory, completing the second-highest successful run chase in men's T20I cricket with two overs to spare.

"Honestly speaking, you cannot put a number to it because when the dew factor comes in, it plays a massive role. And even 249 was chased down with two overs to spare. So, you cannot give a number or probably anticipate that, okay, this is the number we would be trying to score," Iyer said after the match.

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