When the team’s batting unit does well, Dinesh Karthik recognises the struggle that players have in finding opportunities.
However, the former India wicketkeeper insisted that the top-order batsmen were not to blame for scoring runs in the batting-friendly conditions of Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati. Shubman Gill has one century and a double century to his credit. Meanwhile, Rohit reached three figures in the second ODI while Virat Kohli scored a century in the first.
In their first two ODIs against the West Indies, India won both by eight wickets, in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 and Guwahati on September 30. A lot of team players were left off the pitch due to their outstanding performances, notably vise captain KL Rahul, who did not face a single delivery in the series’ final two games.
“They’d love to get some game experience, but our batting is so good, and on such terrific pitches, they’re not going to give it up easily. They’re making the best of it, as they should. It is not their fault if the pitch is nice or that the bowling standard is below what they may expect. KL Rahul would be aware of this, having done it previously at the top of the order. So hopefully, he’ll get an opportunity to bat in the next game,” Dinesh Karthik told Cricbuzz.
The reasons behind Rahul’s lack of opportunities in the West Indies series
Rahul’s recent ODI record demonstrates a tendency of limited opportunities at the crease. The wicketkeeper has only batted in 11 of 15 ODIs since the Champions Trophy finished in March 2025. More crucially, he has only faced 37 deliveries in his last seven ODI appearances, highlighting his lack of batting experience in recent international competition. India’s great record in the format, with top-order batters consistently amassing lengthy innings, has coincided with a lack of match preparation.
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Rahul will have another chance to show off his batting prowess in the third ODI of the series, which is scheduled for October 3 in Mullanpur. Rahul continues to play an important role in the team’s plans as vice-captain and a senior member of India’s ODI squad, despite the top-order batters’ current form restricting his opportunities to contribute with the bat in this particular series.
