In August 2023, the Indian cricket team faced a disappointing defeat in the T20I series against the West Indies. Despite a valiant comeback in the third and fourth T20Is, the team led by Hardik Pandya was outclassed in the decisive fifth match, resulting in a 3-2 series loss. The defeat was particularly bitter as no team has ever successfully come back from a 0-2 deficit in a T20I series, and India failed to change this outcome.

The reasons for India's defeat were multifaceted. Complacency and a lack of clear process were cited as significant factors that hurt India in the series. The number one ranked side was given a harsh reality check by the hosts, who performed exceptionally under new leadership. The Indian team's performance was further marred by defensive captaincy, particularly when India was bowling, and a lack of support for key players during crucial moments of the game.

Former Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad did not mince words in his criticism of the team's performance. He labeled the current Indian limited-overs side as 'very ordinary' and called out their lack of introspection and accountability for their shortcomings. Prasad highlighted the absence of the 'fire' and 'hunger' for victory in the team's approach. He also criticized the team for living in an illusion and failing to acknowledge their poor performance.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy came under intense scrutiny following the series loss. His decisions during the matches were questioned by commentators and former players alike. Aakash Chopra suggested that Pandya's successful captaincy record in the IPL was due to the influence of Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra and even went as far as to label some of his decisions as clueless. Former Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund echoed these sentiments, stating that Pandya often looked 'confused' on the field.

As the 2023 ODI World Cup approaches, the Indian men's cricket team is grappling with a muddled and perplexing build-up. The team's preparation has been marred by a lack of clarity regarding the starting XI, with the crucial No. 4 spot and other positions attracting unwanted attention. This confusion, coupled with the recent T20I series defeat, has cast a shadow over India's prospects in the upcoming World Cup. It remains to be seen how the team will address these issues and bounce back from their recent setbacks.

In the 64th episode of Sledging Room, Rajarshi Gupta has been joined by Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar to discuss the growing concerns around India’s white-ball teams.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh