'We don't play any other leagues' - Robin Uthappa's bold 'IPL exposure' remark after India lose second straight game against WI 

India fell 2-0 down in the five-match T20I series after suffering their second straight defeat against West Indies in Guyana on Sunday (August 6). Owing to a dismal batting performance, the Hardik Pandya-led side failed to chase down a target of 150 in the series opener. The mistakes were repeated in the second game, as they failed to post a competitive total, allowing the hosts to secure a narrow two-wicket victory.

It is true that India played without senior players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. But expect debutants Tilak Varma and Mukesh Kumar, all others have international experience and a lot of experience playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The visitors were expected to have a dominant outing, but except for Varma's impressive innings, nothing was there to the joy of Indian fans.

They have had so much exposure against Indian bowlers: Robin Uthappa 

While the Men in Blue are under fire for failing to put up a fight against the under-favour Windies team, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has identified a factor that hampers Indian players' performances in foreign conditions. Speaking after the second T20, Uthappa pointed out that the restriction on players not to play in away franchise leagues is harming Team India in major tournaments.

"Well, yeah, I certainly think the exposure at the IPL and I think it is a trick that India misses out, especially in the ICC tournaments, because we don't play any other leagues in any other part of the world. And I think yes, it does well to protect the IPL as an entity, but I think it costs us at the international level," Uthappa said.

"And I think those are the advantages that the accomplished players have against our Indian bowlers when they play them in bilateral or they play against them in a major tournament. They have had so much exposure against them in the nets and playing against them in the IPL for years 3,4,5,6 years. So you already know what the bowler does, you already know what the batter does. So you have a lot of information," he added.

The performance of Nicholas Pooran in both games supports Uthappa's statement. The left-hander has gained experience playing against Indian bowlers in the IPL. He was instrumental in his team's successes, scoring 41 off 34 balls in the series opener and 67 off 40 balls in the second match to win Player of the Match.