West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said failing to execute their plans well is the story of his side as it went down by 67 runs in the third T20I against India and lost the series by 1-2. Batting first, India put up a huge 240 for three, on the back of KL Rahul (91), Rohit Sharma (71) and captain Virat Kohli (70 not out). In reply, West Indies managed only 173 runs for 8.
“They scored 240. I thought we didn’t execute as we wanted. Yes they got off to a good start but we got a couple of wickets where we got back into the game. But when we came back in that scenario we didn’t execute properly. That has been the story this series in terms of where we need to improve,” Pollard told reporters.
“We chased big totals before. We chased 230 against South Africa, we chased a big total here in 2016, 220 has been chased at this ground so it was not impossible. But then to lose Evin (Lewis) didn’t help our cause. Everyone else had to go in and put in that extra effort but we faltered at the end,” he said.
Despite losing the series, Kieron Pollard has looked at the positives.
“I thought as a batting unit throughout the series, we have been consistent. Again scores of 200, 170, 170-odd, has been a must for us as a team in the last 12-18 months or so. Again positive step in right direction,” he said. “The guys showed positive intent and we didn’t get over the line tonight, but it was a big step for us throughout the series.”
Pollard also praised medium-pacer Kesrick Williams and spinner Hayden Walsh Jr for their performance in the whole series.
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“It’s a positive for us. And him (Williams) bouncing back after that first game as well and coming and showing his mettle, that was well done. There’s still room for improvement for each and every one of us. But again, yes, that’s a positive he can take out of this series,” he said.
“Even young Walshy bowled very well in the last couple of games. He’s finding his feet now in international cricket. All in all, yes we lost 2-1, but I thought the guys stood up for themselves this series and that was very well done in that aspect,” he added.
Pollard also praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“We bowled some deliveries in the slot and as any class batsman you put it away and he (Kohli) put it away very well. He’s a world-class cricketer. You can’t miss when you’re playing or coming up against him like that,” he said. “Rohit, he was short on runs in the first two games, but he came on in a well-known Wankhede wicket, took his chances, and you see the class of the batsman.”
He said it has been a learning experience to lead the side.
“You just have to be consistent in taking decisions, sometimes it works out, some times it doesn’t. I got a lot of experience playing in different conditions, sitting in different dressing rooms with a lot of legends, and listen about how they go about cricket or prepare when situations are like this or like that,” he said.
“What I try to do is when I come on a cricket field, even if I’m not the captain, I think about what we could do to be one step ahead of the opposition. So I’ve tried to learn every time I get an opportunity. My learning is not going to stop,” he expressed.
He further said that his role as a captain is to protect and give confidence to the young players in the team.
“If you intend on playing international cricket for a long time, you don’t expect it to be highs only. You are going to have some low times and it’s about how you bounce back in any situation that matters. I have to give the guys confidence going about doing things because some of these guys are young in international cricket and sometimes it’s tough and you need to shelter them. That’s basically my role and I try to contribute whichever way I can,” he concluded.
