India secured a 2-1 victory over West Indies in the three-match ODI series, but the series has raised questions about how the team is managing its young players ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has criticised the team management and selection committee for not giving young cricketers enough opportunities to establish themselves. His comments came after India used several bowling options during the series, including ODI debutant Auqib Nabi.
Kaif believes that once a youngster is given an opportunity, the team needs to show patience and back the player through difficult performances. “You are bringing new guys but not backing them. If you have played someone, give more chances. Why did they drop Nabi? Kamboj also got hit anyway. You are spoiling young players by doing this,” Mohamnad Kaif said on his YouTube channel. “I don’t know when Nabi will play white-ball next. Maybe he won’t play at all. This is wrong. You do not have backups. If this planning continues, it is going to hurt,” he added.
Auqib Nabi made his ODI debut in the second match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on September 30. He replaced all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in India’s playing XI. The debut, however, proved difficult for the young pacer. Nabi bowled 8.5 overs and conceded 84 runs without taking a wicket. He was subsequently left out of the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3.
ALSO READ: Priyansh Arya Reveals How It Makes It Easier To Bat With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Head coach Gautam Gambhir explained that the decision was based on the match situation. With the series already decided, Gambhir felt that a dead rubber would not provide the same pressure or competitive experience that Nabi needed while developing at international level.
Kaif, however, believes India needs greater consistency when it comes to developing its young bowling resources. He also sympathised with captain Shubman Gill, who is still adapting to the demands of leading India in ODI cricket. According to Kaif, Gill is being asked to manage a relatively inexperienced bowling attack while the 2027 World Cup is getting closer. “He has less experience and is a work in progress. He is still learning as a captain and getting into that role. The biggest thing hurting him is that he is a young captain with a young bowling team,” Mohammad Kaif said.
Kaif argued that India did not make enough progress in areas that needed improvement during the West Indies series. While established batters such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul continued to contribute, he felt the team needed to use the series to strengthen its bowling options. “I think the takeaways from this series were not hundreds from Kohli, Rohit, Gill and KL. They have been doing this. We did not add on anything,” Mohammad Kaif said.
WATCH – Devdutt Padikkal Takes Stunning Diving Catch To Dismiss Josh Philippe
He also questioned the continued absence of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami from India’s plans, urging the selection committee to communicate better with experienced players who have faced fitness or form issues during their careers.
“I feel two-three things have been done wrong. If you look at the selection committee, there are many bowlers there. They have a huge role to play. Even they are not able to connect to Shami,” Mohammad Kaif explained. With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, Kaif believes India must settle its bowling combination soon rather than continuing to make frequent changes.
