India’s bowling unit faced testing conditions during the first ODI against West Indies at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026. West Indies posted 295 for 7 in their innings, which India successfully chased down with eight wickets in hand. Despite the victory, the bowling performance raised questions about consistency and execution in specific areas of the pitch.
Abhishek Nayar addressed the bowling department’s challenges and offered a measured outlook on the unit’s development. The conditions at Thiruvananthapuram presented distinct difficulties for the Indian bowlers compared to what the opposition faced. Nayar explained the contrasting nature of the pitch and how it affected both teams’ approaches to the game.
The former India assistant coach also analysed the bowling performances of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Gurnoor Brar, saying that the team management will know that when they pick such youngsters in the side, they will have to be backed even if they concede a few runs.
“The conditions in Thiruvananthapuram were quite different. In the first innings, there was no seam or swing. But when West Indies bowled, they got it. So it was more challenging for India. The lengths from the Indian bowlers were not bad. Batting was also good. Nitish Kumar Reddy was punished with the old ball because he usually bowls with the new ball in T20 cricket, like he did in the IPL. This is a one-off. But it is an investment. Gurnoor Brar is playing only his seventh ODI,” Nayar told JioHotstar.
“When you give chances to inexperienced bowlers, you have to accept that they will go for runs or might not pick wickets. Overall, the team pulled it back well. The powerplay is not a concern yet. But the ball pitching areas need to be more consistent. The areas where he got hit for fours and where he took wickets need to change. In Gurnoor’s second spell, when he used the short ball, he looked like a completely different bowler compared to when he just hit a hard length. I think India will get better with time.” he added.
Nayar’s outlook on India’s bowling development
Kuldeep Yadav earned the Player of the Match award for his performance in the first ODI, taking four wickets for 40 runs across 10 overs on his return to the format. His contribution highlighted the potential within India’s bowling attack despite the challenging surface. The second ODI is scheduled for Wednesday at Barsapara Stadium, with play set to begin at 2:00 PM local time.
Nayar’s assessment acknowledged the difficulties faced by bowlers operating with the older ball and the learning curve for less experienced members of the squad. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role with the new ball in T20 cricket and the IPL contrasted with his deployment in the first ODI, presenting a different challenge for the all-rounder. Gurnoor Brar’s seventh ODI appearance underscored the team’s approach to building depth in the bowling unit, even as the young bowler worked through the demands of international cricket at this level.
