Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the four-over phase where India lost the wickets of Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan was the turning point of the game during the fourth T20I against West Indies. From 60-0 after four overs, India slumped to 97-3 while chasing a target of 248 in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14.

“The first wicket fell after 60 runs, and that is fine. But you were down three wickets around the 90- run mark, and that changed the match. You lost three in-form batters: Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan in no time. I think that was the big turning point in the match. West Indies made a comeback after that,” Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.

“India had got the start they wanted after Sanju Samson scored a quick fifty. But when those three wickets fell in quick time, India got in trouble. Of course, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy fought a bit and scored towards the end, but India were never able to come back after they lost three wickets in a row,” he again added.

READ HERE: “He is not here for the milestones” – Hanuma Vihari on Virat Kohli

However, Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal and Gudakesh Motie’s double strike cost India’s chances in the run chase in the middle overs, leaving too much for Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy to chase down in the death overs.

“Yeah, it was holding a bit and there were some more bounces as well. But yeah, knowing that I feel the bowlers, they realized it. They are bowlers and the way they bowled according to the field, that’s what was important, especially in those middle overs,” Shreyas Iyer said during the post-match presentation.