Virat Kohli Rues Poor Shot Selection After Loss In Fourth ODI Against West Indies

India skipper Virat Kohli has rued the poor shot selection from his teammates after the Men in Blue failed to chase down 189 against West Indies in the fourth One-Day International at Antigua on Sunday (July 2).Chasing a relatively easy target, the Virat Kohli-led side was off to an unusual start with both of their in-form batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli departing on single-digit score, leaving the team reeling at 25 for 2.

Dinesh Karthik, who was playing his first ODI after three years, departed after scoring only 2 and the situation could have been lot worse but the in-form Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni steadied the ship with a 63-run stand before the former was sent back by Devendra Bishoo. MS Dhoni stayed till the 49th over but could not take India home as the visitors were all out for 178 in 49.4 overs.

“We bowled really well to restrict them to 189. But our shot selection was not up to the mark,” said the Indian captain in the post-match presentation. “Even losing crucial wickets at crucial times; low scoring games can be tricky to chase. Credit to Windies bowlers, bowled tight lines and put pressure on our batsmen to commit those mistakes.”

Kohli said that the pitch “felt a bit two-paced.”

“It felt a bit two-paced. The new ball was fine, but it was slow after that. I don’t think there was much in the pitch. Definitely the batting and shot selection is something that will have to look into going into the final game,” he said.

He concluded by saying that the team will be looking to put the setback behind in order to come back stronger in the final game of the series.

“I am sure the boys will want to come back strong and fresh and see how things go. We need a complete performance and today wasn’t one. The bowlers were right up to the mark and the fielders as well. The intensity was really good. We just have to put it behind us and come back stronger,” he concluded.