ICC CWC’19: Michael Vaughan makes a sly dig at India before Bangladesh game

Mumbai: Former England captain Michael Vaughan made a sly dig at the Indian team before their crucial match against Bangladesh. India drew heavy flak from commentators, pundits and fans after the team showed no desire to chase down 338.

India needed 338 to win, but from the 41st over or so, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav were content with scoring singles and leaving odd balls. However, in the end, MS Dhoni did hit a big six, but, by then the match had gone and the team lost the match by 31 runs.

After Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya got out, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav stepped in to rescue India. But, the way Dhoni and Kedar planned to chase down the target totally "baffled" Nasser Hussain, Sanjay Manjrekar and Sourav Ganguly, as they had never seen this kind of approach by India in a run chase.

On a flat pitch and small boundary, it seemed like it was a stiff target but it was not at all impossible. India needed 71 from 5.1 overs when Kedar Jadhav joined MS Dhoni to score the remaining 71 runs. Surprisingly, Jadhav and Dhoni played seven dots and scored 20 singles in the 31 balls they played jointly.

West Indies on Monday nearly pulled off a win against the Sri Lankans who scored 338. The Caribbeans nearly chased down the target after Nicholas Pooran scored an impressive 118 from 103 balls. All thanks to Pooran, who dragged West Indies this far after his team lost four wickets with just 84 on the board. However, Pooran’s effort went in vain as West Indies’ innings was halted at 315 after playing full 50 overs.

Appreciating West Indies’ effort, even when the target seemed beyond reach, Commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted, "Got to love the West Indies. Even when the target is seemingly beyond reach, they keep going for it."

Taking this opportunity, Vaughan indirectly teased the Indian team by replying to Bhogle's tweet. The former cricketer replied, "Unlike India!."

Vaughan tried to state that West Indies can compete at all levels even when a hardest challenge is thrown at them, where as India lacks the intent to put up good challenge.

India will face Bangladesh in Birmingham, with a point required to qualify. The Men in Blue will need to win one out of their two remaining games to enter the semis.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh must win both of their last two matches and then hope that England and Pakistan lose their final league match to have any chance of qualification.