In a shocking turn of events, Scotland beat the West Indies in a super six game of World Cup 2023 qualifiers. With this loss, the West Indies’ bid to participate in the upcoming World Cup in India has been shattered. Amid this humiliating defeat, former India batter Gautam Gambhir praised the Carrebian team and backed them to become number one in world cricket.
While fans were shocked by WI’s failure to qualify, Gautam Gambhir expressed his support for Caribbean cricket. The former India opener took to Twitter to express his belief in WI and their ability to become world champions. “I love the West Indies, I love West Indian cricket, and I still believe they can be the No. 1 team in world cricket!” the India legend wrote on Twitter. It’s worth noting that the West Indies are two-time World Cup Champions and were a force to reckon with in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the first three World Cups, they reached the final. Their first final defeat occurred against India in 1983. The Caribbean side has not appeared in a World Cup final since. One of the key reasons for WI’s poor performance in the 50-over format is the absence of experienced players. Due to their obligations to franchise cricket, many seniors have left the WI team. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine continue to play franchise cricket but do not represent WI.
West Indies failed to hold nerves in a crucial game
In the must-win game, the West Indies were asked to bat first at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The West Indies failed to hold their nerve in the must-win game as they lost quick wickets. They were 81-6 in just 20 overs before captain Jason Holder tried to make some changes. Along with Romario Shepherd, Holder added 77 runs for the seventh wicket. Shepherd, in his innings, scored 36 runs, while Holder scored 45 runs off 79 balls. With their fighting innings, the West Indies posted a below-par total of 181/10 in 43.5 overs.
In response, Scotland batted well, achieving the target in just 43.3 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Cross and Brandon McMullen scored brilliant half-centuries to lead their team to victory. Cross, in his innings, scored an unbeaten 74 runs off 107 balls with the help of seven boundaries, while McMullen scored 69 runs off 106 balls. With this victory, Scotland registered their second victory in the Super Six.
Here is how fans reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s statement:
May be Dhoni will have to go and coach them ?
— Nirmal Jyothi (@majornirmal) July 1, 2023
Still West indies will defeat India in few matches in the upcoming series
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) July 1, 2023
When an angry man falls in love with a girl ._.
— Saif Ahmed ?? (@saifahmed75) July 1, 2023
Gautam bhai But there is a wide gap between belief and execution. What about that?
— Sushil Gaikwad (@onlysushil) July 1, 2023
Indian cricket will become like West Indies cricket if leagues are more promoted.
— Abhay ?? (@abhaysrivastavv) July 1, 2023
Cricket is certainly a game of uncertainty!
— FARMAN ALI (@Farman_Ally) July 1, 2023
Number 1 ? Gauti ke jitna WI ko apne par confidence hota toh aaj ye haal nahi hota.
— Naveen (@_naveenish) July 1, 2023
Just believing not works mate should play.
— Manorath Aryal (@Man_Orath) July 1, 2023
The last sentence will never happen, going by the state of affairs of WI cricket.
— Bhargav Mitra (@bhargav_mitra) July 2, 2023
Please appoint as West Indies cricket coach
— Gaurav Sahni (@Gauravgautamsah) July 1, 2023
Imagine this tweet by Mohd Shami ?
— Sameer Shaikh (@isameerking) July 2, 2023
Reason why Windies never play like Champions…
— Srinivasan Sridharan (@srin_srid0610) July 2, 2023
Well if they stop freelancing in various T20 Tournaments and could focus on playing for their country in Test and ODI Cricket then the story could have been something else today. The focus of the youngsters today is just to play T20 and earn quick money
— Siddharth Sinha (@siddsin79) July 1, 2023
I love windies cricket , i think gautam should give their name as the head coach , i have strong sense windies will come back stronger , we will see new windies soon like we saw new england after 2015 world cup
— sagar mehta (@sagarme17201110) July 2, 2023
It's so funny, that Indian cricket team has gone there to prepare for the World Cup and West Indies is knocked out of the world cup
— Azhar Kazi (@azzi_nature) July 1, 2023
