Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has criticised the flat pitches used in the home ODI series against West Indies, saying they hurt India’s 2027 World Cup preparation.

In a post on Instagram, Ramesh said the 2027 World Cup will be played in South Africa, where bowlers will have a big role. Playing on batting-friendly tracks at home, he argued, lowers bowlers’ confidence and makes batters overconfident.

The numbers back his point. The three-match series averaged about 7.5 runs per over. Only 33 wickets fell in the entire series, giving a bowling average of 63.

India won the series 2-1. They chased 296 in the opener and then pulled off their highest-ever ODI chase of 406 in the second match. West Indies won the final ODI in New Chandigarh after Shai Hope’s unbeaten 162.

Five of the six innings in the series crossed 300 runs. The lowest team total was West Indies’ 295 in the first ODI.

India’s next big ODI assignment will test whether the batting form holds on livelier tracks. South Africa’s conditions will demand far more from the bowlers.