India vs West Indies 2014 – A dramatic collapse in the 2nd ODI saw India peg back into the match as well as the series with both the teams levelled at 1-1.
A dramatic collapse in the 2nd ODI saw India peg back into the match as well as the series with both the teams levelled at 1-1.
India and West Indies were to play the 3rd ODI but was cancelled due to the HudHud storm but the rivalry resumes on Friday as MS Dhoni’s men meet West Indies in the fourth ODI on Friday which is expected to be a pacy track.
India’s series-levelling win at the Kotla was a combination of West Indies’ implosion while as well as coming off short against the Indian spinners of Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, who exploited the helpful conditions perfectly as West Indies lost eight wickets for 45 runs in their run-chase of 263.
But the conditions will different as compared to other pitches when the teams slog it out at Dharamshala. Expect MS Dhoni and co to play the same eleven except the former decides to go with an extra pacer with the tall and lanky Ishant Sharma waiting in the wings. The batting department has been of topsy turvy up till now. Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have yet to strike form at the top of the order. Though Virat was the standout at Kotla with a fighting half-century, the Delhi-born needs more time at the crease if he is to score tons of runs.
In the bowling department, Shami, with eight wickets from two games, is the highest wicket-taker in the series but needs support from the other end as well. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is disappointing in the two games played but the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra has bowled quite well.
Though young left-arm spinner Akshar Patel has been included in the squad for the last two ODIs, it is highly unlikely that the Indian team management might give the youngster a go. Kuldeep Yadav is another exciting talent who might not get the nod but Dhoni has always surprised with the team selections.
In the West Indies side, the Kotla game was a distraction and Dwayne Bravo will be asking the players to start afresh as they seek redemption in the fourth ODI. Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith and Kieron Pollard have struck gold with the bat but need to perform on a consistent basis if the Men from the Caribbean are to seal the series.
The toss will be crucial in this tie with the captain winning the toss might opt to field first. Even as the balance of the series is equal, MS Dhoni’s side go into this tie as firm favourites considering the form from the 2nd ODI.
Squads
India: MS Dhoni (Captain and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Murali Vijay, Kuldeep Yadav, Akshar Patel.
West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Dwayne Smith, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson.
