ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 34: WI vs IND – Windies Predicted Playing XI

It was a low-scoring affair when Windies last faced India in a World Cup game. The Men in Blue just about got over the line with a margin of 4 wickets and things would have been interesting had Windies got a bigger score. However, four years down the line, the situation is slightly different. Their knockout spot wasn’t in jeopardy back then and they comfortably made it to the quarterfinals then.

Windies have got everything to play for as they take India on this time. A loss in this match will knock them out of the tournament and they’ve got to be at their best. Also, there are expected to be a few changes to their playing eleven given the injury concerns they’ve had of late.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Windies

Openers (Chris Gayle, Sunil Ambris)

Chris Gayle was good in the last match and had a fair share of luck on his side. However, he failed to make the most of it and get his team over the line. The left-hander played an ambitious lofted shot when he was batting on 87 which went straight to the fielder. He left his team in tatters with this shot and it seemed they would get nowhere close to the target with half the side back in the pavilion. Gayle will have to bat more responsibly in the upcoming match.

The Universe Boss might have yet another new opening partner for this game. With Andre Russell ruled out, Sunil Ambris has been roped into the side. The way Evin Lewis and Darren Bravo have fared thus far in the tournament hasn’t been encouraging. Thus, Ambris is likely to be slotted into the eleven straightaway.

Middle Order (Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer)

Shai Hope has looked slightly out of sorts in the English conditions and has had his troubles against the moving ball. The wicket-keeper batsman is likely to be back at the number three position – a position where he seemed a lot more comfortable to bat at. It is important for hope to score more freely and possibly at a better strike rate.

Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer have handled the burden on the middle order beautifully. Even though they aren’t highly experienced, the duo has analysed the conditions and situations well enough. Windies will back them to come good in the remaining three crucial encounters.

All Rounders (Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse)

Jason Holder has blown hot and cold in the tournament and should work on the consistency. However, he is doing a great job leading the side and marshalling his troops. Carlos Brathwaite has sealed his spot in the eleven and might even get to bat slightly higher up the order after his exploits in the last game. The all-rounder was unstoppable and played a gem of a knock.

However, his efforts would have been better justified had he got his team over the line. He has been amongst the wickets with the ball but needs to work on his consistency. Ashley Nurse will continue in the eleven with Russell no more a part of the squad. Even though he might not be amongst the wickets, he is economical with the ball and bowls tight lines and lengths.

Bowlers (Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas)

Kemar Roach should look to get amongst the wickets as soon as possible. He is one of the most experienced players in the team and should look to exploit the conditions early on and expose the Indian middle order. Roach will have Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas for the company in the pace department. The left-arm pacer has done a terrific job thus far in the tournament and will look to trouble the Indian openers. Windies must use Oshane Thomas in a better way.