Ashwin questions Hope's decision to persist with Hosein
Ashwin said Hope's decision to keep Akeal Hosein bowling during the powerplay handed Sanju Samson an easy target in Ranchi.
Ravichandran Ashwin took aim at Shai Hope's decision to bowl Akeal Hosein for three straight overs in the powerplay of the second T20I in Ranchi. Sanju Samson took advantage, smashing 82 off 41 balls as India reached 249 for five.
Hosein leaked 46 runs in those three overs, with Samson hitting two sixes and two fours in one over alone. Ashwin said the West Indies captain can't expect to build pressure by feeding a spinner to a batter who was already clearing the ropes at will.
West Indies still chased the target down with nine balls to spare after Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 off 45 balls.
CricHubb Take
Hope's refusal to pull Hosein cost him control of the powerplay, but the bigger issue is how West Indies keep leaning on one left-arm option even when the match situation calls for something else. That pattern won't change overnight.