Game has moved on: Michael Vaughan slams India’s performance vs New Zealand

The Indian team’s loss against New Zealand on Sunday has pushed the team on the brink of a stunning exit from the T20 World Cup 2021. Several experts and former cricketers reacted to the result, pointing out the many notable fallbacks of India’s game. One of these reactions was former English skipper Michael Vaughan’s. 

Also read: T20 World Cup 2021: Talking points after India’s loss against New Zealand

Reacting to the game, Vaughan criticised Virat Kohli and company’s performance in the tournament so far. The men in blue suffered a crushing defeat in their T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan – by 10 wickets – before losing by eight wickets versus the Kiwis. 

“India could be on the way out of this #T20WorldCup .. the mindset & approach with all that talent so far has been so wrong #India,” Vaughan wrote in a tweet while India were batting.

  Also read: How India can still qualify for T20 World Cup 2021 semifinals

“India are playing 2010 Cricket .. The game has moved on .. #T20WorldCup,” he added in another tweet.

“Let’s be honest … For all the talent & depth in #India cricket they under achieved massively for years in white ball Cricket … #Fact #T20WorldCup,” Vaughan tweeted again.

  Also read: T20 World Cup: India were not brave enough today, says captain Virat Kohli

Vaughan said that India should allow their players to participate in other leagues around the world to gain experience. As per BCCI rules, any Indian player, contracted or non-contracted, is not allowed to play any franchise cricket (T20, T10) outside India. 

“India should take a leaf out of all other countries … Allow their players to play in other leagues around the World to gain experience … #India #T20WorldCup,” Vaughan added. 

Team India will now hope that New Zealand lose two of their remaining matches and they themselves win all the three to qualify for the semifinals. 

On Sunday, an insipid India could only manage a below-par 110 for seven in their vital match and then saw New Zealand chase down the target of 111 with 33 balls to spare.

Opener Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with 49 off 35 balls, while skipper Kane Williamson made an unbeaten 33.

  Also read: T20 World Cup: After loss vs Kiwis, experts say title ‘a distant dream’ for India

Sent into bat by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, India lost wickets at regular intervals and struggled to pose any serious threat to a disciplined Kiwi attack.

Leg-break bowler Ish Sodhi and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner returned exceptional figures of 2/17 and 0/15 from their respective quota of four overs each.

Pace spearhead Trent Boult picked up three wickets for 20, leading the way by example.

At the end of the six power play overs, India were struggling at 35 for two, and it only got worse from there for them.

India will next face Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.