T20 World Cup 2022: What led to West Indies' group stage exit? 

Ireland knocked West Indies out of the WC on Friday [Source: Twitter]

In what could be a shocking event for cricket fans across the globe, two-time champions West Indies crashed out of the ongoing T20 World Cup, losing their last group stage game to a spirited Ireland by nine wickets. 

Tell me honestly, how many of you would have believed it if someone had said before the tournament that the West Indies wouldn't qualify for the Super 12? I think the number would be much less because I wouldn't have believed it. Of course, Ireland's triumph wasn't surprising, but the way West Indies crumbled throughout the tournament vividly demands an investigation. 

So, let's analyse and find out why West Indies failed to live up to the expectations. 

Sub-par performance from the middle order

Scotland handed West Indies a crushing defeat [Source: Twitter]

One of the significant reasons why the West Indies messed up their chase against Scotland was the abysmal performance of their middle order with the bat. While Nicholas Pooran and Shamarh Brooks managed eight runs between them, Rovman Powell could contribute only five runs. If not for Jason Holder's 38, West Indies would have suffered a more severe defeat that day. 

Pooran and Brooks were complete failures with the bat, while a handy 28 against Zimbabwe was Powell's solitary notable contribution. The trio scored 79 runs at a horrendous average of 9.87 and an ordinary strike rate of 103.94. This sums up their mediocrity with the bat in the tournament.

By pointing towards these three, I am not trying to hide the inconsistency of their top order. Kyle Mayers, Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles got starts but couldn't convert those into match-winning knocks. So, all in all, batting emerged as the nemesis for the Caribbean men in the mega event. 

Toothless bowling in the powerplay

Paul Stirling played a memorable knock yesterday [Source: Twitter]

It's the job of the new ball bowlers to ensure early breakthroughs for the team. However, the West Indies bowlers lacked penetration in the first six overs and leaked runs, particularly in their lost encounters against Ireland and Scotland. 

Statistically, the Windies bowlers went wicketless in the powerplay, giving away 115 runs at a terrible economy of 9.58 in these two games combined. Although they bowled 43 per cent dots, they took only four deliveries to concede a boundary, suggesting their lack of discipline with the ball. 

Thus, the West Indies bowlers allowed the batters to not only get their eyes in but also score at a brisk pace, taking the game away from them right from the beginning. 

Poor decisions by the captain and management

Pooran's leadership was questionable [Source: Twitter]

If his dismal form with the bat was not enough, Nicholas Pooran damaged West Indies' chances of qualification through his directionless leadership. From setting a bizarre field to not giving Jason Holder a single over in the powerplay in the entire competition, Pooran did it all. 

The West Indies fielders were idle at times, which was a striking difference between them and their opponents. Additionally, the management seemed clueless regarding the batting order throughout the World Cup. They even underused the batting abilities of Odean Smith, sending him below Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph against Zimbabwe and Scotland, respectively. 

Such confusing moves ensured the West Indies lagged behind their counterparts in the matches, eventually losing them. 

Now, as the Men in Maroon have faltered on the biggest stage, they will consider making some brave calls for the sake of their future. We might see Pooran being sacked as the captain, as he has been a complete failure as both a batter and captain. But, if not Pooran, then who? How can the West Indies regain their lost stature as a T20I powerhouse? 

We are left with many questions, which the board will hopefully answer in a few days. But, whatever the answer may be, it should uplift the standard of West Indies cricket, as a World Cup without the Caribbean flair is as tasteless as a meal without salt. 

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